Education

• B.S., Psychology, Old Dominion University

• B.S., Human Services, Old Dominion University

• PBACC, Nonprofit Management, Virginia Commonwealth University

• M.P.A.,Virginia Commonwealth University

• PhD, Public Administration, University of Nebraska 

Biography

Dr. Starke is Assistant Professor of Public Administration at Virginia Commonwealth University's L. Douglas Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs. Professor Starke's research includes specific interests in vulnerable and oppressed populations, public service education, and liberation. Prior to returning to the Wilder School as a faculty member, Professor Starke was an Assistant Professor at the University of Colorado Denver's School of Public Affairs. Professionally, Dr. Starke worked as a human services practitioner and qualified mental health professional engaging with public, private, and nonprofit service providers. A native of Hanover County, VA, his greatest accomplishment to date is being a proud and doting uncle to several amazing humans.

Professional Service

Dr. Starke has served terms as member and Secretary of the Public Administration Theory Network board of directors, Conference of Minority Public Administrators Region IV Representative, and ASPA Section on Democracy and Social Justice Secretary. 

Research

Professor Starke's work broadly focuses on issues of democracy, identity, citizenship, and social equity. In addition to several book chapters and technical reports, he has published in Public Administration Review, Administrative Theory & Praxis, Journal of Public Affairs Education, Public Integrity, Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration, State and Local Government Review, Metropolitan Universities Journal, and Journal of Community Engagement and Higher Education. 

Awards

• Excellence in Leadership and Service (2022) Awards for Tenure/Tenure-Track faculty.
• CU Denver's School of Public Affairs Excellence in Teaching (2021).
• ASPA's Section on Democracy and Social Justice Best Dissertation Award (2020). 
• NASPAA's Social Justice Curriculum Award (2020).
• School of Education Distinguished Teaching Award (2020).
• University of Nebraska Presidential Graduate Fellow (2018).
• PAT-Net Fellow (2017).
• International Young Scholar (2016).
• Engagement Scholarship Consortium Engaged Scholar Awardee (2016).
• ASPA Founders' Fellow (2014).
• VCU Wilder Graduate Scholars Fellow (2014).