Sapna Varkey

Sapna Varkey is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Missouri–St. Louis (UMSL). Her research focuses on nonprofit and public management, emphasizing organizational performance, institutional pressures, and service delivery improvements. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Public Policy with a concentration in Social Justice from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.P.A. from East Carolina University, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration from North Carolina State University.

• Education:
  • B.A., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (Political Science & Public Policy)
  • M.P.A., East Carolina University (Political Science)
  • Ph.D., North Carolina State University (Public Administration)

Her research explores three interconnected streams: performance management, publicness in organizations, and nonprofit dynamics. These streams address how institutional pressures and organizational practices influence service delivery. Recent projects include evaluating four-day school weeks in Missouri, analyzing campaign contributions' geographic distribution, and examining behavioral healthcare systems in North Carolina.

Varkey has led multiple research initiatives funded by institutions like UMSL and St. Louis University. She actively collaborates with the NPML + CIAC network for sustained interdisciplinary efforts. Her work bridges academic inquiry with practical solutions for public and nonprofit sectors.