KU School of Public Affairs and Administration Welcomes Dr. Brian Nakamura as Robert A. Kipp Professor of the Practice
Lawrence, KS - The University of Kansas School of Public Affairs and Administration (SPAA) is pleased to announce that Dr. Brian S. Nakamura has been named the Robert A. Kipp Professor of the Practice. Nakamura brings more than 25 years of distinguished service in local government and a passion for developing the next generation of public service leaders.
Nakamura spent more than two decades as a city manager of several West Coast cities, where he implemented policies to strengthen economic vitality, enhance environmental sustainability, and ensure civic engagement. His leadership focused on creating resilient communities through innovative land use and zoning objectives, forging partnerships with businesses and environmental stakeholders, and fostering collaboration across local, regional, state, and federal government agencies. Prior to his city management roles, he served as a Director of Public Works and as a Budget and Grants Manager, giving him a broad perspective on public sector operations and fiscal management.
“The KU School of Public Affairs and Administration is honored to welcome Dr. Nakamura to continue the legacy of excellence in preparing leaders for local government management and advance the practice of democratic governance,” shares Maja Holmes, SPAA Director.
Complementing his public service career, Nakamura has built a strong academic presence. He joined Texas A&M’s Bush School of Government and Public Service as an Assistant Professor of the Practice in 2019 and advanced to Associate in 2022. He previously taught at the University of Arkansas, University of California-Riverside, and California Baptist University, as well as serving as a mentor and adjunct faculty member at the University of Southern California.
Nakamura’s research interests include the “fiscalization” of land use and the social and economic impacts on sustainable communities, as well as public finance and budgeting, taxation, and equity. He is deeply committed to preparing future public administrators and has developed internship and fellowship programs to connect students with meaningful government experience—most notably the Western Riverside Council of Governments Public Service Fellowship Program, launched in 2017.
Reflecting on the appointment, Nakamura shared, “It’s an honor serving a truly distinguished University and School, with the most talented faculty, staff, and students, committed to public affairs and service, focused on creating socioeconomic and environmental value for our society. The meaningful and purposeful research, teaching, and civic engagement that occurs internally and externally within SPAA is visionary, insightful, and operational, driving student success through a combination of academia and practice. I’m extremely excited to be a part of an invaluable program which thrives on, and promotes, public administration as an invaluable institution and profession.”
The Robert A. Kipp Professorship of the Practice honors the legacy of Robert A. Kipp, a pioneer in city management and civic leadership, and recognizes faculty who share an ethos of humility, integrity, and unwavering belief in democracy with the next generation of public service leaders.
The KU School of Public Affairs and Administration, ranked #1 in local government management by U.S. News & World Report, offers nationally recognized undergraduate, graduate, and professional education programs that prepare students to lead and innovate in public service. Learn more at spaa.ku.edu.