Zhirong (Jerry) Zhao

Areas of Expertise

Public budgeting and finance, transportation finance, public management, GIS applications in public affairs

Biography

A native of China, Zhirong "Jerry" Zhao is an assistant professor of public administration. His research focuses on public budgeting and finance, in particular how local governments generate sufficient revenue under ever-increasing constraints, how state and local fiscal structures affect the pattern and effectiveness of public service delivery, and how public and nonprofit organizations interact with each other in budgetary and service decision making.

Jerry holds a Ph.D. in Public Administration from University of Georgia and earned bachelor's and master's degrees in Urban Planning from Tongji University (China). In his earlier career as an urban planer, he did many projects for local governments across China, and published journal articles and book chapters on urban renewal and historical preservation. As a public administration scholar, he has published in Public Administration Review, Public Finance Review, Public Budgeting and Finance, Municipal Finance Journal, and Chinese Public Administration Review, and has worked on funded projects supported by the Minnesota Legislature, Minnesota Department of Transportation, and the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy.

Jerry teaches "State and Local Public Finance," "Introduction to Public Financial Analysis and Management," and "Nonprofit Financial Management." In 2009, he was awarded the "Instructor of the Year" in the Humphrey Institute.

Curriculum Vitae (PDF)

Courses Taught

For syllabi for the current semester, view the University of Minnesota's Course Guide. For syllabi for public affairs classes for Fall 2007 or earlier, view the Humphrey Institute's course syllabi web page. Syllabi are available in alternative formats. Please send requests to Stacey Grimes, Humphrey Institute Office of the Associate Dean (grime004@umn.edu).

Go to the University of Minnesota One Stop website to apply for these and other public affairs courses.

No Fall 2009 courses.