Erna Gelles, B.A., M.P.A., Ph.D.

Contact Information
Email: gellese@pdx.edu
Office: Urban 670H
Telephone: 503 725 5405
Fax: 503 725 8250

Background
Erna Gelles is an Associate Professor in the Division of Public Administration and Institute for Nonprofit Management.  She holds a bachelor's degree in history from Antioch College, a Masters in Teaching secondary social studies from Colgate University, a MPA in Community, Voluntary and Human Services Administration from the University of Missouri at Kansas City, and a doctoral degree in political science from the University of Georgia with foci on government, public policy and public administration with a specific focus on the history and theory of the nonprofit sector.

Research Focus
Her areas of expertise include public administration and organization theory, program evaluation, applied ethics for public administrators, nonprofit theory, and nonprofit management in the human services.

Community Engagements/Service
Dr. Gelles’ non-academic background includes work during the 1980s as the legislative coordinator for Missouri Citizen Action and advocacy trainings for the Older Women's League in Kansas City. This work put her in close contact with over thirty Midwestern 501(c)(3) organizations serving the needs of low income and minority communities across Missouri.  She is as a founding member of the PSU Leadership Fellows Program and is on the board of a nascent Leadership Fellows alumni association.  Dr. Gelles is an emeritus board member of CNRG/Spreading Roots and has recently begun to explore the freedom of an empty nest.  

Publications & Awards
Her early research and publications include work on distinctions between for-profit and nonprofit organizations in child care and senior care, where clients are too young or too old to be rational decision-makers.  Since coming to Portland State her research has been more applied, addressing community service activities that drive the work of the Institute for Nonprofit Management. Her recent works include the application of Question Mapping as a retrospective tool for assessing community dialogue, and community network analysis, particularly among leaders of color serving communities of color through community-based nonprofit organizations.  Studies in these areas are available on the INPM website (www.impm.pdx.edu) and in Nonprofit Management & Leadership (2009).  A  Question Mapping chapter, part of a compilation on sustainable dialogue and public deliberation, is currently under review with Columbia University Press.