Headshot of Grant Rissler

Grant Rissler

He/Him
Assistant Professor, Organizational Studies
Program Chair, Nonprofit Studies
Chair, Interdisciplinary & Professional Studies
Member, SPCS Speakers Bureau
  • Profile

    Grant Rissler teaches courses across the human resource management, nonprofit studies and liberal arts programs at SPCS. Joining the SPCS faculty in 2024 after five years focused on parenting, Dr. Rissler brought in-person and online teaching experience in the areas of public administration, leadership, research methods, and policy analysis.

    His social equity-focused research explores the role of state and local governments, as well as nonprofit partners, in the integration of recent immigrants into 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 2021 state commissioned and co-authored report on barriers to immigrant integration in Virginia.

    Rissler also brings to the classroom more than two decades of experience in the nonprofit and higher education sectors where he held roles in communications, fundraising, policy analysis and program administration. He is connected to the local Richmond community through his professional, research, and service interests, including service on several nonprofit boards.

    In addition to holding degrees in history (BA), international relations (MA) and public policy and administration (Ph.D.), he also counts a graduate certificate in conflict transformation, a professional certificate in Geographic Information Systems (from SPCS) and participation in Virginia Commonwealth University’s 2018 Minority Political Leadership Institute as formative educational experiences. His studies included time spent in Colombia, the Dominican Republic, Italy, and Switzerland.

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    • Awards

      Henry J. Abraham Graduate Student Paper Award, Virginia Social Science Association Annual Conference (VSSA), Richmond, VA., March 2017, for “Predictors of Public Policy Preferences toward English Language Learners.”

      Outstanding Doctoral Student Award, L. Douglas Wilder School of Government & Public Affairs, April 25, 2016. Given to one doctoral student a year by the Ph.D. Committee after nominations by faculty.

      Marc Holzer Outstanding Doctoral Student Paper Award, Northeast Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA), Fairfax, VA., November 2015, for “Exploring Social Conservatism as a predictor of attitudes toward immigrants & immigration.”

    • Presentations

      Liebert, S., Rissler, G., & Staalhane, H. (2026, March 28). Immigrant success stories: The positive deviance project [Conference presentation]. Migration Studies Research Symposium, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2026, March 23). Immigration law and policy shifts from an historical institutionalist perspective [Invited lecture]. Lecture to PPAD 717: Law and Public Policy, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2026, January 16). Barriers to integration of Virginia’s immigrants [Invited presentation]. Advocates for Intercultural RVA (AIRVA) meeting, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2025, October 21). Immigrant integration in 21st-century Virginia (Part 2) [Invited presentation]. Osher Institute course, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2025, October 14). Immigrant integration in 21st-century Virginia (Part 1) [Invited presentation]. Osher Institute course, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G., & Liebert, S. (2025, June 16). Megaphone or modulator?: Examining the role of non‑profit organizations in amplifying the voices of immigrants [Conference presentation]. Southern Political Science Association Annual Meeting.

      Nickels, A., & Rissler, G. (2025, June 14). Administrative evil: A public administration failure examined through a peacebuilding lens [Conference presentation]. Public Administration Theory Network Annual Conference.

      Rissler, G. (2025, April 26). Teach-in — The first 80 days of the Trump administration: Immigrant policy shifts in Trump 2.0 [Invited presentation]. Teach-In session, Richmond Peace Education Center, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2025, April 10). Induction ceremony address for Phi Beta Delta, the honor society for international scholars [Invited presentation]. Induction Ceremony session, University of Richmond, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2025, March 28). GIS mapping as a tool for improving the accessibility of immigrant integration research findings [Conference presentation]. GIS/Methods session, American Society for Public Administration Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

      Rissler, G. (2025, March 28). Walking the tightrope: Balancing work with life [Conference presentation]. Student and New Professional Summit session, American Society for Public Administration, Washington, DC.

      Rissler, G. (2025, March 17). Immigrant integration in 21st-century Virginia (Part 2) [Invited presentation]. Osher Institute lecture series, Osher Institute, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2025, March 10). Immigrant integration in 21st-century Virginia (Part 1) [Invited presentation]. Osher Institute lecture series, Osher Institute, Richmond, VA.

      Rissler, G. (2025, February 21). Immigrant integration in 21st-century Virginia [Invited presentation]. Refugee and Immigrant Volunteer Summit session, Re-Establish Richmond, Richmond, VA.

      Webb, M., Baniya, S., Powell, K., Rizvi, M., Dromgold‑Sermen, M., Rissler, G., Scott, L., & Kachab, M. (2024, November 22). Towards digital justice and consolidated resettlement resources for new Americans: A Virginia database initiative [Conference presentation]. Panel: Technology, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action Annual Conference, Washington, DC.

      Rissler, G., & Liebert, S. (2024, November 22). On immigrants’ behalf?: Comparing views of immigrants and organizations on needed integration services & policies [Conference presentation]. Panel: Constructing a Welcoming Context: The Role of Nonprofits in Migrant and Refugee Integration, Association for Research on Nonprofit Organizations and Voluntary Action Annual Conference, Washington, DC.

      Rissler, G. (2021, November). GIS analysis of potentially underserved immigrant populations in Virginia [Conference presentation]. Panel: Justice for Socially Marginalized Groups, Northeastern Conference on Public Administration (NECoPA), Virtual.

      Rissler, G., & Keegan, B. (2021, April). Comparing predictors of public policy preferences toward refugees, unauthorized migrants, and local involvement in immigration enforcement in a U.S. state [Conference presentation]. Session: Immigration in America: Social, Economic, and Policy Impact on Local Communities, American Society for Public Administration Annual Meeting, Virtual.

      Rissler, G. (2019, March). Immigrant equity in practice: A deeper conceptual model for factors driving local government responses toward immigrants [Conference presentation]. Panel: Local Immigrant Integration and Its Relationship to Today's Polarized Immigration Policy, American Society for Public Administration Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

      Rissler, G. (2018, November). Research to policy: VCU’s Translational Research Fellows program [Conference presentation]. Panel: Translating Research into Policy, Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management Annual Meeting, Washington, DC.

      Rissler, G. (2018, October). Conflict transformation skill sets: Envisioning the value added for students of public administration [Conference presentation]. Panel: Conflict & dispute resolution skills: An untapped resource for public service curricula?, Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration Annual Conference, Atlanta, GA.

      Rissler, G. (2018, March). A shock, wave, or whiff for social equity? Understanding the impact of a federal Dear Colleague letter on local school system implementation of English language learner best practices [Conference presentation]. Panel: Policy Outcomes in Social Equity, American Society for Public Administration Annual Meeting, Denver, CO.

    • Memberships

      American Society for Public Administration

      American Political Science Association

    • Professional Experience

      Affiliate Faculty (2019-Present)
      Center for Public Policy and Public Administration Program (dual affiliation), Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University

      Research Assistant (2021-2022)
      Barriers to Integration Study, Dr. Salta Liebert, principle investigator, conducted for Virginia’s Office of New Americans (part-time)

      Interim Director (2019-2020)
      Richmond Peace Education Center (part-time)

      Assistant Director (2017-2019)
      Office of Public Policy Outreach (now Division of Research and Outreach), Center for Public Policy, Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond

      Assistant Director for Programs/Associate (2012-2017)
      Commonwealth Educational Policy Institute, Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond

      Financial Resource Development Coordinator (2008-2012)
      Mennonite Central Committee East Coast

      Peace and Justice Coordinator (2005-2008)
      Mennonite Central Committee East Coast

      Communications Director/Associate (2005-2005)
      The Faith & Politics Institute, Washington, D.C.

    • Certifications

      Conflict Transformation Graduate Certificate, Eastern Mennonite University

      Preparing Future Faculty Certificate, Virginia Commonwealth University

      Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Professional Certificate, University of Richmond

      Minority Political Leadership Institute Certificate, Virginia Commonwealth University

    • Community Service

      • Member, Editorial Board, Administrative Theory & Praxis (2019-present)
      • Planning Group, 2026 Refugee and Immigrant Volunteer Summit (RAIVS) in collaboration with ReEstablish Richmond (April 2025-Present).
      • Assistant Secretary, Executive Board of Central Virginia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (2024-2026; 2016-17)
      • Member, Board of Directors, Richmond Peace Education Center (2023, 2015-2020)
        • Secretary (2023-2025; 2016-2017)
        • Finance Committee (2023-present)
      • Board Member, First Mennonite Church of Richmond, VA. (2025-2027)
        • Volunteer, First Mennonite Church of Richmond - Delegate to Virginia Mennonite Conference, Richmond, VA. (2024-2026).
        • Committee Member, First Mennonite Church of Richmond - Outreach Committee, Richmond, VA. (2021-2025).
      • Member, Board of Directors, Ten Thousand Villages, Richmond (2012-2018)
        • Chair, (2013-2016)
      • Section Editor, Governance Matters, State and Local Government Review (2019-2020)
      • Secretary, Board of Section on Democracy and Social Justice, American Society for Public Administration (2018-2019)
      • Member, Board of Section on Democracy and Social Justice, American Society for Public Administration (2017-2019)
      • Secretary, Executive Board of Central Virginia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (2017-18)
      • Assistant Secretary, Executive Board of Central Virginia Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration (2016-17)
      • Member, Finance Committee, American Society for Public Administration (2016-17)
      • Member, Public Administration Times Editorial Board (2015-2016)

  • Selected Publications
    Journal Articles

    Rissler, G., Liebert, S., & Keegan, B. (2025). Local responses to immigrant residents in the age of Trump: Insights on the space for action at the local level. State & Local Government Review. 57(4) 363-378. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177%2F0160323X20980029 (First Published Online December 21, 2020.)

    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., 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.

    Rissler, G. (2016). Varied responsiveness to immigrant community growth among local governments: Evidence from the Richmond, Virginia, metropolitan area. State and Local Government Review, 48(1), 30-41. DOI: 10.1177/0160323X16636427

    Book Chapters

    Liebert, S., & Rissler, G. (in press). Strengthening the Commonwealth. In We the People: The World in Virginia. Virginia Museum of History and Culture.

    Rissler, G. (2023). Immigrant equity and lessons from the Triple Pandemic. In Harper-Anderson, Albanese & Gooden (Eds.), Racial Equity, COVID-19, and Public Policy: The Triple Pandemic (pp. 75-95). Routledge.

  • Links
    PA Times "On My Desk" Contributor