Honorary Member, International City/County Management Association. (November 2017 – Present).
Section on Intergovernmental Administration and Management. (August 2015 – Present).
Texas City Management Association (TCMA). (September 1995 – Present).
Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA). (September 1983 – Present).
Government Finance Officers Association of Texas (GFOAT). (September 1983 – Present).
Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM). (September 1982 – Present).
American Society for Public Administration (ASPA). (September 1976 – Present).
Faculty Fellowship,"Recruitment Program of High-end Foreign Experts," (People's Republic of China) State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (SAFEA), Beijing, China. (May 2018 – July 2019).
Faculty Fellowship,""Establishing Long-term Partnerships with Top-Tier Public Administration Programs"," UNT China Venture Fund, Denton, TX, United States of America. (May 2016 – July 2019).
Renmin University of China (Beijing), American Public Finance Policy and Administration, Summer 2019.
The University of Texas at Austin (LBJ School of Public Affairs), Local Government Finance, PA 388, Fall 2014.
The University of Texas at Austin, Local Government Finance, PA 388, Fall 2013.
Guest Lecture, Central University of Finance and Economics (Beijing), 150. (November 29, 2021).
Guest Lecture, Central University of Finance and Economics (Beijing), 60. (November 29, 2021).
Workshop, Center for Public Management, 30. (November 15, 2017 – November 16, 2017).
Workshop, Texas Association of Appraisal Districts, 85. (October 27, 2015 – October 27, 2015).
Workshop, Texas Municipal Clerks Association, 125. (April 17, 2015 – April 17, 2015).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"Revisiting the Theory of Revenue Diversification: Insights From an Empirical Analysis of Texas Cities’ Sales Tax Strategies and Local Economic Development Outcomes," Public Administration. (September 1, 2023 – Present).
Dissertation Committee Chair, Public Administration. (September 1, 2022 – May 31, 2023).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"The Economic Impact of Local Government and Nonprofit Expenditures on Property Values: Evidence from 41 Large Texas Cities," Public Administration. (January 2021 – May 15, 2022).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"The Impact of the Introduction of a Value-Added Tax on Saudi Arabia's Economy and Budget," Public Administration. (February 2021 – March 11, 2022).
Dissertation Committee Member, Counseling and Higher Education. (December 2020 – December 15, 2021).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"An Analysis of the Flypaper and Fungibility Effects of Intergovernmental Revenue on Municipal Operating and Capital Budgets," Public Administration. (September 2016 – March 20, 2020).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"The Impact of Property Tax Exemptions on Fiscal Behavior: A Longitudinal Analysis of 41 Texas Cities," Public Administration. (September 2015 – June 20, 2019).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"The Adoption, Management, and Performance of Local Government Investment Pools: A Comparative Analysis of State Practices," Public Administration. (2013 – 2016).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"An Analysis of the Economic and Institutional Factors Affecting Recovery by State and Local Governments from Hurricanes," Public Administration. (May 2015 – July 2016).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"Explaining Economic Development Strategies Using Product Differentiation Theory: A Reconceptualization of Competition Among City Governments," Public Administration. (August 2011 – February 2015).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"Cost of Issuing Debt: An Analysis of the Factors Affecting the Net Interest Cost of State Bonds," Political Science. (May 1996).
Dissertation Committee Chair,"Municipal Bond Ratings and the Willingness to Issue Debt: A Pooled Cross-sectional Analysis of Texas Cities," Political Science. (December 1995).
Professor of the Year -- 2018-19, Public Administration Student Association. (March 29, 2019).
Professor of the Year -- 2017-18, Public Administration Student Association. (April 2018).
Professor of the Year -- 2015-16, Public Administration Student Association. (April 2016).
Professor of the Year -- 2008-09, Public Administration Student Association. (April 2008).
Stephen B. Sweeney Memorial Academic Award, International City/County Management Association. (October 2007).
Terrell Blodgett Academician Award, Texas City Management Associaion. (June 2007).
Honor Professor Award -- 2006, UNT Student Government Association. (May 2006).
Bland, R. L. (Author & Presenter), Overton, M. (Author), International City/County Management Association, “Reenergizing Neighborhoods: Does Tax Increment Financing Get Us to ‘Wow?’”, ICMA, Seattle, United States of America. (2015 – 2015).
Bland, R. l. (Coordinator/Organizer), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Funding Public Finance and Budgeting Research: Sources and Strategies for Obtaining Grants, ABFM, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (2017 – 2017).
Adu, E. (Author & Presenter), Bland, R. L. (Author), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM), Denver, Colorado. 2023, Redistributive Effects of Non-Profit Spending in 41 Texas Cities, University of North Texas, Denver, Colorado, United States of America. (2023 – 2023).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Bamanie, M. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM), The Impact of the Value-Added Tax’s Introduction on Saudi Arabia’s Governance, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM), Miami, Florida, United States of America. (2022).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Prentice, V. A. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM), The Role of Local Government Spending in Creating Property Wealth and Promoting Its Equitable Distribution, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management (ABFM), Miami, Florida, United States of America. (2022).
Bland, R. L. (Author & Presenter), Shi, Y. (Author & Presenter), Sun, J. L. (Author), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, The Fiscal Impact of China’s Regulatory Policy to Affect Municipal Use and Financing of the Public-Private Partnerships for Capital Improvements, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Miami, Florida, United States of America. (2022).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Bamanie, M. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, The Impact of the Introduction of a Value–Added Tax on Saudi Arabia’s Economy and Budget, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2021).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Ukwandi, K. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Impact of Greater Dependency on the Property Tax on Local Expenditures, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2021).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Prentice, V. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, The Contribution of Nonprofit Expenditures to Economic Value Creation, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Washington, DC, United States of America. (2021).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Boadu, B. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, An Analysis of the Flypaper and Fungibility Effects of Intergovernmental Revenue on Municipal Operating and Capital Expenditures, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (2019 – 2019).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Sun, J. (Author), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, The Effect of Tax Exemptions on the Tax Liabilities of Other Property Owners, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (2019 – 2019).
Boadu, B. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, An Exploratory Analysis of the Joint Flypaper Effect of Intergovernmental Revenue on Operating and Capital Spending by City Governments, Denver, Colorado, United States of America. (2018 – 2018).
Sun, J. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Do Property Tax Exemptions Lead to More Diversified Revenue Structures?, Denver, Colorado, United States of America. (2018 – 2018).
Sun, J. (Author), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Do Property Tax Exemptions Shift the Tax Burden to Other Taxpayers?, Denver, Colorado, United States of America. (2018 – 2018).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Boadu, B. (Author), Public Finance and the New Economy, The Impact of Intergovernmental Grants on Capital Spending by Municipalities: A Test of the Flypaper Effect, Andrew Young School of Policy Studies, Georgia State University, United States of America. (2018 – 2018).
Bland, R. L. (Chair), Shi, Y. (Author & Presenter), Sun, J. (Author), Li, Q. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, An Analysis of the Emerging Bond Market in China: A Preliminary Profile of the Provincial Bond Market, ABFM, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (2017 – 2017).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Sun, J. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, The Impact of Property Tax Exemptions on Local Budgets and on Taxpayers: A Longitudinal Analysis of 41 Texas Cities, ABFM, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (2017 – 2017).
Bland, R. l. (Author), Overton, M. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, “Exploring the Linkage between Economic Base and Revenue Stability in Large Municipal Governments.”, ABFM, Seattle, United States of America. (2016 – 2016).
Bland, R. L. (Author & Presenter), Nukpezah, J. A. (Author), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, “The Impact of Graduate Professional Education in Public Administration on State Bond Ratings.”, ABFM, Seattle, United States of America. (2016 – 2016).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Overton, M. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, “The Road to Entrepreneurial Budgeting and Beyond: The Evolution of Budget Innovations and the Role of Citizens in Budget Decisions.”, ABFM, Seattle, United States of America. (2016 – 2016).
Bland, R. L. (Author), Short, J. (Author & Presenter), Texas Weather Conference, “The Impact of Hurricanes on Local Economies.”, Austin, Texas, United States of America. (2016 – 2016).
Bland, R. L. (Author & Presenter), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, "Reconceptualizing Performance Measurement: A Holistic and Just Approach:, ABFM, Washington, D.C., United States of America. (2015 – 2015).
Bland, R. L. (Author & Presenter), National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration, Emergencies, Disasters, and Terrorism: The Challenge for Public Finance, NASPAA, Minneapolis, Minn, United States of America. (2006 – 2006).
Bland, R. L. (Chair), International City/County Management Association, Managing Through Tragedies: Keeping Your Career Intact and on Track, Remote (virtual), United States of America. (2020).
Bland, R. L. (Coordinator/Organizer), Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Showcase panel: Partnerships and Contracts - Incentives, Opportunities, and Responses, Remote (virtual), United States of America. (2020).
Robert L. Bland Endowed Professor of Local Government (2014 - present), Department of Public Administration. (January 2014 – Present).
Elected Fellow, National Academy of Public Administration (2012 - present). (2012 – Present).
2023 UNT Eminent Faculty Award, UNT Foundation. (April 28, 2023 – January 31, 2024).
Award for Excellence in Financial Management, Government Finance Officers Association. (May 1987).
Director, MPA Program Coordinator. (January 1, 2022 – Present).
Member, Curriculum and Degrees Program Committee. (September 2019 – Present).
Member, PhD Comprehensive Exam Committee. (2015 – Present).
Member, MPA Comp Exam Grading Committee. (September 2023 – December 2023).
Committee Member, HPS Special Committee for Consideration of Candidates for Full Profressor. (August 2023 – November 15, 2023).
Committee Chair, ad hoc Faculty Professional Development Committee, i.e. post-tenure review committee (Appointed by Provost). (September 18, 2023 – October 17, 2023).
Committee Member, HPS Graduate Advisor Selection Committee. (November 15, 2022 – December 20, 2022).
Faculty Mentor, Department of Public Administration. (March 9, 2022 – September 15, 2022).
Faculty Mentor, Yu (Kelly) Shi. (January 16, 2021 – May 2022).
Chairperson, HPS Committee to Draft a Statement of Expectations for Promotion to Full Professor. (January 11, 2021 – March 31, 2022).
Committee Chair, MPA Comp Exam Coordinator. (February 22, 2022).
Program Organizer, Grant -- Sumners Foundation. (August 2021 – December 2021).
Committee Member, UNT Executive Council of Center and Institute Directors. (August 2018 – July 2021).
Chairperson, College of Health and Public Service (HPS) By-law Revision Committee. (January 2019 – February 2021).
Co-Chair, HPS Advising Council Committee. (June 1, 2020 – February 2, 2021).
Member, ad hoc Committee for Review of Promotion for Non-tenure Tack Faculty. (September 1, 2020 – October 15, 2020).
Chairperson, Department Chair -- Criminal Justice. (February 11, 2019 – August 5, 2020).
Guest Speaker, Faculty Speaker, MPA Hooding Ceremony. (December 13, 2019).
Other, MPA Comprehensive Exam Coordinator. (July 15, 2019 – November 10, 2019).
Member, Faculty Review Committee. (October 2018 – August 2019).
Member, College of Health and Public Service (HPS) Promotion & Tenure Committee. (September 2018 – August 2019).
Chairperson, Reappointment, Promotion and Tenure Committee. (August 2017 – August 2019).
Member, ad hoc Grade Appeal Committee, Raissa Mboma. (July 29, 2019 – August 15, 2019).
Chairperson, ad hoc Committee to Review the Department's RP&T By-law. (January 2018 – April 2019).
Other, Host: Candidates for the Hatton W. Sumners Scholarship. (April 1992 – 2018).
Other, Host for Visiting Scholar, Dr. Qing Li. (September 2017 – August 2018).
Guest Speaker, MPA Hooding Ceremony. (2017).
Guest Speaker, PhD Colloquium Speaker. (2015 – 2017).
Other, MPA Alumni. (1992 – 2017).
Other, MPA Alumni Directory. (June 2015 – August 2017).
Co-Chair, T.C. Broadnax Reception. (November 2016 – February 2017).
Committee Member, UNT President's Management Excellence Council. (May 2011 – August 2014).
Chairperson, Department Chair. (September 1992 – August 2013).
Member, Governmental Accounting Standards Advisory Council (GASAC), Norwalk, Connecticut. (November 2023 – Present).
Other, International City/County Management Association, Washington, DC. (October 2017 – Present).
Reviewer, Ad Hoc Reviewer, Peer reviewer. (2015 – Present).
Other, International City/County Management Association. (1997 – Present).
Editorial Review Board Member, Editorial Board, Municipal Finance Journal. (June 1995 – Present).
Officer, President/Elect/Past, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Denton, TX. (November 2019 – December 2023).
Board of Directors, Public Financial Publications, Inc.. (January 2018 – December 31, 2023).
Conference-Related, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Washington, D.C.. (January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022).
Other, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management. (January 2017 – December 2022).
External T&P Letter Writer, University of Delaware, Denton, TX. (April 1, 2022 – April 19, 2022).
External T&P Letter Writer, Binghamton University, Denton, TX. (June 2021 – October 17, 2021).
External T&P Letter Writer, University of Colorado Denver, Denton, TX. (September 1, 2021 – September 9, 2021).
Discussant, NASPAA -- Section on Budgeting and Finance, Denton, TX. (October 2020).
Committee Member, 2019 Burkhead Award Committee, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management, Denton, TX. (January 2019 – May 2020).
Other, Texas City Management Association. (2016 – 2017).
Editorial Review Board Member, Editorial Board, State and Local Government Review. (January 2014 – December 2016).
Other, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas, Austin, TX. (April 19, 2016 – April 19, 2016).
Other, Government Finance Officers Association of Texas. (1993 – 2015).
Other, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. (2005 – 2013).
Other, NASPAA. (2005 – 2008).
Member, Commission on Peer Review and Accreditation, NASPAA. (2001 – 2003).
Other, National Association of Schools of Public Affairs and Administration. (1992 – 2003).
Other, U.S. Bankruptcy Court. (1997 – 1997).
Other, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management. (1991 – 1996).
International City Management Association -- Eastern Europe Training Program. (1991 – 1992).
Other, North Texas chapter of ASPA. (1990 – 1991).
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company. (1989 – 1990).
Other, Association for Budgeting and Financial Management. (1987 – 1990).
City of Dallas. (1989 – 1989).
Other, American Society for Public Administration. (1988 – 1988).
City of Farmers Branch, Texas. (1986 – 1986).
Texas Municipal Clerks and Secretaries. (1985 – 1985).
Anchor Hocking Corporation. (1982 – 1982).
Cyclops Steel Corporation. (1982 – 1982).
Welch's Food Corporation. (1982 – 1982).
Jones and Laughlin Steel Corporation. (1981 – 1982).
Ross Park Center. (1981 – 1981).
U.S. Steel Corporation. (1981 – 1981).
Volkswagen of America. (1981 – 1981).
City and County of Erie, Pennsylvania. (1980 – 1981).
Chartiers Terrace Housing Association. (1980 – 1980).
Beaver County, Pennsylvania. (1979 – 1980).
Westinghouse Corporation. (1979 – 1980).
Bethlehem Steel Corporation. (1978 – 1978).
City of Philadelphia. (1978 – 1978).
Allegheny County, Pennsylvania. (1977 – 1977).
Other, Bridges International, Denton, Texas. (April 2018 – Present).
Guest Speaker, Texas Municipal Clerks Association, College Station, Texas. (April 13, 2023 – April 14, 2023).
Guest Speaker, League of Women Voters of Texas (Denton Chapter), Denton, TX. (January 13, 2022).
Guest Speaker, Texas Municipal Clerks Association, Denton, TX. (April 14, 2021).
Guest Speaker, National Association of Graduate-Professional Students, Denton, TX. (November 14, 2020).
Guest Speaker, City of Sugar Land, Texas, Denton, TX. (October 8, 2020).
Workshop Organizer, Lake Cities, Corinth, TX. (December 5, 2018 – December 5, 2018).
Member, Denton Record-Chronicle Editorial Board, Denton, TX. (July 1, 2018 – October 31, 2018).
Other, Metroport Cities Partnership, Trophy Club, Texas. (October 18, 2018).
Member, City of Denton, Charter Review Committee, Denton, TX. (December 2016 – June 2017).
Committee Chair, City of Denton, Charter Review Committee, Subcommittee on Council Compensation, Denton, TX. (February 2017 – May 2017).
Guest Speaker, City of Denton, Denton, Texas. (September 10, 2016 – September 10, 2016).
Academic, UNT VP for Finance and Administration, Denton, United States of America. (March 2019 – August 2020).
Government, UNT, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (October 2015 – August 2016).
Government, UNT, Vice President for Finance and Administration, Denton, Texas, United States of America. (April 2014 – August 2015).