Education

Ph.D. (Public Policy and Administration), Virginia Commonwealth University, 2019
M.P.A. Murray State University, 1984
Certificate (Community Environmental Studies), Tufts University, 1997
B.A. (Economics), Berea College, 1980
Certificate (Advanced Educational Planning), University of London College of Education

Background

Simon Okoth, Ph.D., is an instructor and director of internships in the Department of Political Science. He teaches public administration, international political economy (honors), Middle East politics, and black political thought.

Okoth previously served as director of graduate studies at VCU’s Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs where he also taught public policy analysis to graduate students.

Upon completing his doctorate in public policy and administration at VCU in 2009, Okoth taught courses in the M.P.A. program before moving to the American University of Afghanistan–Kabul as an assistant professor, King Saud University in Saudi Arabia, and later at Zayed University in the United Arab Emirates where he taught and served as coordinator of the Executive Masters in Public Administration program.

His research interests include international water rights, comparative policy making and Africa’s development challenges. Okoth’s publications include peer-reviewed articles, book chapters and a recent book, "Responding to Black Swans: Why Ordinary Citizens Matter."

He serves on a Virginia-based nonprofit board, Flip Flop Friends Inc., and as a member of Kenya’s Nyakach Elders Development Group (NEDG).

Professional Affiliations

Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management
International Public Policy Association

Select Publications

Articles

Okoth, Simon H. (2015). A Review of State of the Art of Public Administration in Western Academia: Lessons for the Gulf States. AMEPPA Chronicles-Scholastica.

Okoth, Simon H. Public Policy Making in the United Arab Emirates. In A. Dawoody. (2014). Public Administration and Policy in the Middle East. New York: Springer.

Okoth, Simon H. Prosecute and punish: Curbing political and administrative corruption in Kenya. In G. M. Mudacumura & Gotkug Morcol. (2013). Challenges to democratic governance in developing countries. NY: Springer.

Okoth, Simon H. (2013). Do pluralist structures enhance involvement in decision-making by Non-governmental organizations? African Social Science Review 6(1): 95-113.

Book

Okoth, Simon H. (2017). Responding to Black Swans: Why Ordinary Citizens Matter. Bloomington, IN: Westbow Press.