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Expertise

Public AdministrationCommunity DevelopmentPublicly Engaged ScholarshipCommunity Based Participatory ResearchQuantitative and Qualitative Research MethodsCase study and interview methodsPublic AdministrationNonprofit ManagementEntrepreneurshipSocial Entrepreneurship

Research Interests

Nonprofit Theory and Management, Public Administration, Public Budgeting and Finance, Urban Collaborative Governance, Community Development, Research Methods

Articles

Leach, K., Mirivel, J., Thombre, A. and ten Bensel, T. (2025). Working for the Greater Good: A Qualitative Study in Uganda to Evaluate Civic and Community Engagement.. Journal of Social Service Research.Leach, K., Julien, M., Ten Bensel, T. and Thombre, A. (2024). Civic and Community Engagement among Poor Rural Women in Bihar: A Pilot Study. Canadian Journal of Nonprofit and Social Economy Research 15 (2) , pp. 1-24.Leach, K., Nickels, A. and Davis-Matthews, M. (2024). Uncovering Local Knowledge in Grassroots Associations: An Illustration of the Critical Reflexive Approach. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly , pp. 1-21.Mirivel, J., Thombre, A., Ten Bensel, T., Leach, K. and Fuller, R. (2023). Communication Competency and Positive Communication Among Women in Bihar, India:. Communication Studies , pp. 1-20.Mirivel, J. C.., Thombre, A., Bensel, T. ten., Leach, K. and Wood, B. (2023). Qualitative Changes in Communication Competency Among Women in Bihar, India: Heifer International’s Impact on Personal Transformation. American Journal of Qualitative Research 7 (2) , pp. 163-184.Glazier, R., Driskill, G. and Leach, K. (2020). Connecting with Community and Facilitating Learning through the Little Rock Congregations Study. Metropolitan Universities 31 (3) , pp. 22-43.Fine, J., Mareschal, P., Hersh, D. and Leach, K. (2016). Contracting, performance management, and accountability. Journal of Strategic Contracting and Negotiation 2 (4) , pp. 294-312.

Book Chapters

Nickels, A., Wood, Z. and Leach, K. (2024). Democracy & The CDC System: Applying a Critical Analysis of Local Democratic Norms, Values, and Practices The Handbook of Critical Perspectives on Nonprofit Organizing and Voluntary Action: Concepts, Applications and Future Directions (pp. 418-433) Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing.

Presentations

Leach, K. and Rivera, J. (March , 2025). Collaboration in context: An examination of community partnership formation Paper ASPA Annual Conference Washington DC.Leach, K. (August , 2024). Describing Problems in the Local Community and Needs Assessments Lecture Leaders in Social Innovation and Change Training Workshop Little Rock, AR.Mirivel, J., Leach, K., Thombre, A. and ten-Bensel, T. (August , 2024). The Personal Transformation Index: A Measurement Tool for Heifer International Paper Personal Transformation Index - A Measurement Tool Little Rock, AR.Leach, K. and Nickels, A. (June , 2024). Uncovering Local Knowledge in Grassroots Associations: Taking a Critical Reflexive Approach Paper PA Theory Network Annual Conference Camden, NJ.Mirivel, J., Leach, K., Thombre, A. and ten-Bensel, T. (June , 2024). Understanding the Nature of Personal Transformation: Findings from India (Part 3) Paper Personal Transformation Index - Bihar Longitudinal Study Little Rock, AR.Leach, K. and Rivera, J. (March , 2024). Addressing power asymmetries in disaster and emergency management research: A critical approach Paper HR American Society Public Administration Annual Research Symposium Hampton Roads, VA.Mirivel, J., Thombre, A., ten Bensel, T. and Leach, K. (September , 2023). Personal Transformation in Heifer Beneficiaries: A Focus on Honduras Paper Personal Transformation Index - Comprehensive Case Study Report on Honduras Little Rock, AR.

• 2024: Provost’s Initiative for Retention of Underrepresented Faculty (PI-RUF), 98ÌÃ