Rick S. Kurtz

Rick S. Kurtz, PhD currently serves as Dean of the College of Community Studies and Public Affairs at Metropolitan State University. He holds degrees from Colorado State University, the University of Virginia, and University of Alaska-Anchorage. A professor of political science Rick has served in academic leadership roles with two year and four-year public institutions in Minnesota, Michigan and Ohio. Prior to joining academia, he was employed with the federal government’s Agriculture Research Service, the National Park Service and the U.S. Navy/Navy Reserve. Rick does research in Science, Technology and Environmental Politics, Public Policy and Public Administration. Current projects include maritime transportation and safety, pandemic preparedness, and public lands management.