Kenneth Kriz

Kenneth Kriz is an esteemed academic and administrator, currently serving as Interim Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration and Professor of Public Administration at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS). He previously held the title of Regents Distinguished Professor of Public Finance at Wichita State University and directed the Kansas Public Finance Center. His academic career also includes roles at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, the University of Tartu (Estonia), the University of Oklahoma, and the University of Minnesota.

Dr. Kriz specializes in subnational debt policy, public pension management, government financial risk, and economic forecasting. He earned his doctorate from Indiana University, a master’s from the University of Colorado at Denver, and a bachelor’s from the University of Iowa. His research has been recognized with the 2024 Jesse Burkhead Award for his article on capital appreciation bonds, co-authored with Temirlan Moldogaziev.

His work frequently addresses fiscal sustainability, municipal debt instruments, and policy responses to economic crises such as the pandemic. He has directed the Institute for Illinois Public Finance since joining UIS in 2018, contributing to state-level fiscal analysis and public finance strategies. Key areas of focus include tax policy, infrastructure financing, and behavioral insights in public budgeting.

• Education: Ph.D. in Public Finance (Indiana University), MPA (University of Colorado Denver), BBA (University of Iowa)
• Awards: 2024 Jesse Burkhead Award, Regents Distinguished Professor Title (Wichita State)
• Professional Experience: Leadership roles at UIS, Wichita State, and international institutions