Email: risslerge@vcu.edu
Grant Rissler, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies
School of Professional and Continuing Studies
EXPERTISE
- Immigration policy
- Education policy
- Social Equity
EDUCATION
B.A., History, Goshen College
M.A., International Relations, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies
Ph.D., Public Policy and Administration, Virginia Commonwealth University
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Local responsiveness to immigration, education policy, social equity, peace and conflict resolution in public administration
ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Dr. Grant Rissler is an Assistant Professor of Organizational Studies at the University of Richmond’s School of Professional and Continuing Studies where he teaches across the Human Resources Management, Liberal Arts and Nonprofit Studies graduate programs. He earned his Ph.D. in Public Policy/Public Administration from the Wilder School in 2017 and continues to collaborate with Wilder School faculty and the Center for Public Policy on research projects.
His social equity-focused research explores the role of state and local governments, as well as nonprofit partners, in the joint integration of recent immigrants and their new communities. His 2017 dissertation examined the impact of a federal guidance memo on how school systems in Virginia approached their responsibilities toward English Language Learner students and parents. Additionally, he studies public opinion toward immigrants and the intersection of the fields of public administration and peacebuilding. His research impact includes more than ten peer-reviewed journal articles and numerous other papers, presentations and reports, including a 2022 state commissioned and co-authored report on barriers to immigrant integration in Virginia.
He holds a master’s degree in international relations from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies, a professional certificate in Geographic Information Systems (GIS) from the University of Richmond (SPCS), a graduate certificate in conflict transformation from Eastern Mennonite University’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding and a bachelor’s degree in history from Goshen College.
Prior to joining the Wilder School, Rissler coordinated fundraising for Mennonite Central Committee – East Coast, directed communications for The Faith & Politics Institute and served two and one-half years in three positions through Mennonite Voluntary Service.
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Rissler, G. (2023). Immigrant equity and lessons from the Triple Pandemic. In Racial Equity, COVID-19, and Public Policy: The Triple Pandemic, Harper-Anderson, E., J. Albanese, S. Gooden, eds. Routledge. 75-95.
Rissler, G., Keegan, B. (2021). Comparing predictors of public policy preferences toward refugees and local involvement in immigration enforcement in a U.S. state. Journal of Public Management and Social Policy. 28(1); 43-61.
Shelley, W., Pickett, J., Mancini C., Diehl McDougle, R., Rissler, G., Cleary, H. (2021, First Published October 20, 2017). Race, bullying, and public perceptions of school and university safety. Journal of Interpersonal Violence. 36(1–2), NP824–NP849. DOI: 10.1177/0886260517736272
Rissler, G., Keegan, B., Liebert, S. (2020). Local Responses to Immigrant Residents in the age of Trump: Insights on the Space for Action at the Local Level. State & Local Government Review DOI: 10.1177/0160323X20980029 First Published Online December 21, 2020.
Rissler, G., Dunn, T., Anthony, T., Miller-Pitts, S., Williams-Lewis, B. (2020). Assessing the Racial Equity Impact of Legislation to Establish a Virginia Grocery Investment Program and Fund. Journal of Public Management and Social Policy, 27(1); 44-62.
Benton, J.E., Rissler, G., Wagner, S. (2020). City and County Governments in the Time of COVID-19 and the Recession: The Long and Winding Road. State & Local Government Review, 52(1); 28-52 DOI: 10.1177/0160323X20975470
Rissler, G. & Shields, P.M. (2019). Positive peace—A necessary touchstone for public administration. Administrative Theory & Praxis, 41(1); 60-78 DOI: 10.1080/10841806.2018.1479549.
Rissler, G. (2018). Predictors of public policy preferences toward English Language Learners. Virginia Social Science Journal, 52(1), 39–52.
Pynes, J. E., & Rissler, G. (2017). Social equity in the Trump era: What can local public administrators do to improve social equity for their residents and community in the face of federal cuts? State and Local Government Review, 49(1), 48-59. DOI: 10.1177/0160323X17720267
Gooden S.T., & Rissler, G. (2017). Local government: Social equity “first responders.” State and Local Government Review, 49(1), 37-47. DOI: 10.1177/0160323X17720268
Shields, P. & Rissler, G. (2016). Positive peace: Exploring its roots and potential for public administration. Global Virtue Ethics Review, 7(3), 1-13.