From practitioner to professor: Dr. Kate Albrecht’s expertise in strategic management
From practitioner to professor: Dr. Kate Albrecht's expertise in strategic management Heading link
Meet Kate Albrecht, PhD, University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Policy, Management, and Analytics housed within the College of Urban Planning and Public Policy. With a background in the nonprofit sector, Dr. Albrecht transitioned into academia after completing her MPA and brings a wealth of practical experience to her current research-focused role.
Dr. Albrecht has developed the PA 521: Strategic Management course for UIC’s online Master of Public Administration program. As an elective available for both concentrations within the online graduate program, this course offers students insights into the strategic management process of public and quasi-public organizations. Students will explore strategic planning and performance measurement processes which will equip them with essential skills for effective organizational management.
As a public management scholar and mixed-methods researcher, Dr. Albrecht integrates her research findings into the classroom environment. Her passion lies in observing grassroots community initiatives and showcasing strategic solutions. Her specific research addresses crucial areas such as collaboration for intergovernmental public service delivery, community health, and drinking water.
Learn more about Dr. Albrecht’s background and the online MPA program’s PA 521: Strategic Management course.
Meet Dr. Kate Albrecht. Heading link
Learn about Dr. Kate Albrecht’s journey from earning her MPA degree and then moving into a research role. She discusses her work as a public management scholar and her focus on collaborative governance and networks. She explores the space where government agencies and nonprofits have to work together to tackle community challenges.
Can you tell us more about your research focus? Heading link
Dr. Albrecht explores her research focus and its relevance to her PA 521 course. She examines the collaboration among the public sector and nonprofit groups, including entities like parks and recreation, to discover the strategies they utilize to overcome challenges with limited resources. Her interest lies in observing grassroots community initiatives to craft strategic solutions, which she showcases in her class. Her research spans collaboration for intergovernmental public service delivery, community health, and drinking water.
Can you give us an overview of the PA 521: Strategic Management course? Heading link
The PA 521: Strategic Management course prepares students to examine public management and ways to improve it from a strategic perspective. They will examine the dynamics of volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) public service challenges, and learn how to apply tools, such as SWOT analysis, to address these issues.
Can you tell us about the field research project that MPA students can look forward to in the PA 521 course? Heading link
Students will take part in a field research project where they will choose a public organization to conduct an industry and organizational analysis. Students will then design an appropriate performance management system to address the organization’s needs and learn how to present their findings to stakeholders.
What will the online experience be like in the PA 521 course? Heading link
Students will engage in weekly readings and assignments aimed at honing their skills. Despite the asynchronous online format of the PA 521 course, they will actively partake in both individual and group projects. Collaboration and discussion will be facilitated through platforms such as Microsoft Teams and VoiceThread, allowing students to exchange insights, discuss class materials, and showcase their perspectives.