Grant Rissler

Grant Rissler (He/Him) is an Assistant Professor at the School of Professional & Continuing Studies (SPCS) of Virginia Commonwealth University. He teaches courses in human resource management, nonprofit studies, and liberal arts programs, with expertise in U.S. immigration policy, social equity in government, and peacebuilding. His research focuses on immigrant integration, public administration, and policy analysis, including a 2017 dissertation on English Language Learner education in Virginia.

• B.A. in History from Goshen College (1999)
• M.A. in International Relations from Johns Hopkins University (2004)
• Ph.D. in Public Policy & Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University (2017)
• Graduate certificate in conflict transformation
• Professional certificate in Geographic Information Systems (SPCS)

Rissler has over two decades of professional experience in nonprofit and higher education sectors, with roles in communications, fundraising, and policy analysis. He contributed to a 2021 state-commissioned report on immigrant integration barriers in Virginia and has published over ten peer-reviewed journal articles on social equity and public administration topics.

He is actively engaged with the Richmond community through research, professional work, and service on nonprofit boards. His teaching experience spans in-person and online courses in public administration, leadership, and research methods.