Douglas Ihrke

Douglas Ihrke is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Public and Nonprofit Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM). He also serves as Executive Director of the Helen Bader Institute for Nonprofit Management. His academic journey includes a PhD in Public Administration from Northern Illinois University (1996), an MPA from Northern Michigan University (1992), and a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Minnesota (1990). Prior to academia, he worked as an engineering technician and in municipal government in Michigan.

Dr. Ihrke's research focuses on public administration, policy, urban studies, nonprofit management, and governance dynamics in schools and local governments. His work explores city council-administrator relations, managerial innovation, and public employee attitudes. He has published extensively in journals like Public Administration Quarterly and Nonprofit Management & Leadership.

Teaching responsibilities include courses on urban politics, public policy, nonprofit governance, and organization theory. Notable courses: PUB ADM 763 (Public Administration), NONPROF 705 (Nonprofit Professionals), and NONPROF 725 (Nonprofit Governance).

His recent research emphasizes school board governance, charter school accountability, and urban community dynamics. Articles highlight themes like leadership credibility, conflict resolution in local boards, and the impact of policy reforms.

Dr. Ihrke has no listed scientific awards but has contributed significantly to educational and nonprofit management through interdisciplinary studies. His advisory work and grants are tied to his research on governance and urban policy.

He leads the Helen Bader Institute, fostering nonprofit sector innovation. Future research aims to deepen insights into urban community structures and governance effectiveness.