Maja Husar Holmes, Ph.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION

Education

Ph.D., Syracuse University
MPA, Syracuse University
BSBA, Washington University in St. Louis

Bio

Maja Husar Holmes is an Associate Professor of Public Administration. Her research examines public leadership and issues of diversity and inclusion in the context of public management and higher education. Recent scholarship explores the application of institutional efforts to address diversity and inclusion, policy interventions to promote cultural competency and leadership practices in public administration and higher education. Her research has been published in Administration & Society, Journal of Public Administration Research and Theory, International Journal of Public Administration, State and Local Goverment Review, and Innovative Higher Education.

Dr. Holmes is an associate with the WVU ADVANCE Center that promotes research and practice in faculty and leadership development. The ADVANCE Center enhances institutional capacity by engaging faculty groups, faculty members, and faculty leaders through Dialogues training and facilitation. Dr. Holmes served an WVU Academic Leadership Fellow supporting the implementation of Strategic Transformation at WVU. She served as a Faculty Associate with the WVU Teaching and Learning Commons to support the advancement of innovative pedagogy. Maja is also an active contributor to the WVU Women’s Leadership Initiative, providing coaching and leadership development workshops.

Dr. Holmes' professional service includes serving as Chair and member of the Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation (2016-2020), Executive Council (2022-2025) of the Network of Schools of Public Policy Affairs and Administration (NASPAA) and on the editorial board of International Journal of Public Leadership.

Dr. Holmes has over twenty years of experience working directly with public and non-profit organizations and academic institutions, providing team-development workshops, facilitation training, and diagnosing public management opportunities. She was awarded the Eberly College Outstanding Public Service Award in recognition of her collective service to West Virginia community and public organizations.

Dr. Holmes's CV

Research Interests

Collaborative Public Management
Public Leadership and Public Participation
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Teaching Interests

Public Management Theory and Practice
MPA Capstone Seminar
Team Development and Facilitation
Leadership in the Public Sector