Nelson Wikstrom, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus
In Memoriam
Dr. Nelson Wikstrom passed away on August 20, 2025. Dr. Wikstrom was a devoted scholar, mentor, and friend whose warmth, passion for teaching, and commitment to students left a lasting impact on everyone he met.
Born in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1940, he began his academic career at the University of Wisconsin–Superior in 1968 before joining VCU, where he went on to serve as department chair and author numerous influential works in intergovernmental relations and metropolitan politics.
Dr. Wikstrom’s legacy as an outstanding educator, caring mentor, and passionate commentator on local and regional politics will endure in the hearts and minds of countless students and colleagues. An obituary and information about services may be found here.
Education
- Ph.D., University of Connecticut
- M.A., University of Connecticut
- B.A., Northeastern University
Research Interests
- Vertical and horizontal intergovernmental relations
- Government and politics of metropolitan areas
Selected Publications
- American Intergovernmental Relations: A Fragmented Federal Polity. Oxford University Press (2006). With G. Ross Stephens.
- County Manager Government in Henrico County: Implementation, Evolution, and Evaluation (2003).
- Metropolitan Government and Governance: Theoretical Perspectives, Empirical Analysis, and the Future. Oxford University Press. With G. Ross Stephens.
- The Political World of a Small Town: A Mirror Image of American Politics (1993).
- Councils of Governments: A study of political incrementalism. Burnham, Munger & Root (1977).