Eric Austin, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Political Science

Dr. Eric Austin joined MSU's Political Science department in 2005 after three years with the School of Public Affairs and Administration at Western Michigan University. Since coming to MSU, he has served as the Coordinator of the Master of Public Administration program and in 2013 was appointed as the Executive Director of the Burton K. Wheeler Center for Public Policy. Eric’s research focuses on the factors that affect organizational culture that influences policy making and decision making, especially in contentious environments. He teaches courses including organization theory, public management, public policy and administrative ethics.  In the fall of 2014, he and his co-author Sandra Parkes-Pershing, published their book Organization Theory and Governance for the 21st Century with CQ Press.  Eric's professional career prior to completing his PhD at Virginia Tech, included working as a project director in both public and non-profit organizations.  In addition to working on various environmental, educational and social services programs, Eric served and continues to work as a trainer and consultant providing technical support and capacity building programs for organizations ranging from large, federal agencies all the way down to small, volunteer based non-profits.