Suzanne M. Leland

Suzanne M. Leland serves as a Professor in the Department of Political Science and Public Administration at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, where she directed the Gerald G. Fox Master of Public Administration program from 2012 to 2016.

Her academic foundation includes a PhD earned at the University of Kansas, establishing her expertise in public administration and political science.

Professor Leland's research critically examines Urban Management & Policy, Intergovernmental Relations, and Transportation Policy, with emphasis on collaborative governance between state and local entities. Her work addresses systemic challenges in urban development and infrastructure planning, influencing policy frameworks across municipal and regional jurisdictions through rigorous analysis of administrative structures.

Her distinguished contributions have been recognized through prestigious honors:

• 2019 Donald Stone Distinguished Scholar Award from the American Society of Public Administration
• 2020 Harshini de Silva Graduate Mentor Award from UNC Charlotte and the American Society of Public Administration Section on Intergovernmental Relations
• Induction into the National Academy of Public Administration (2024)

As an award-winning mentor, Professor Leland has significantly shaped graduate education in public administration, evidenced by the 2020 Graduate Mentor Award. Her leadership in the Gerald G. Fox MPA program and ongoing scholarly impact demonstrate sustained engagement with evolving administrative challenges in contemporary governance.