Erik Bergrud’s life was transformed by his experience as a Park University graduate public affairs student. During that time, he embraced the concept of serving others and applied it to his career as well as to local, national and international volunteer pursuits.
As Associate Vice President for University Engagement at Park University, he leads an eleven-member team responsible for alumni relations, career development, communications/public relations, government relations and special events. Having gained so much from his Park mentor Dr. Jerzy Hauptmann, Erik now connects with younger co-workers via Park’s Pirate Mentoring program. Outside of work, he can be seen cheering on his beloved Park Pirates or attending Park lectures and cultural events throughout the year.
Erik has garnered the respect and trust of his colleagues across the country having been elected a fellow of the Congressionally-chartered National Academy of Public Administration and president of the American Society for Public Administration. During his tenure as president, ASPA undertook a major revision of its Code of Ethics and launched, in collaboration with NAPA, a Memos to National Leaders project in advance of the 2012 U.S. general election.
Previously, he participated in the United Nations Public Administration Network and was founding editor of UNPAN Newsletter.
Erik has given significant time to several Kansas City civic organizations. He is a past chair of the Parkville, Mo., Economic Development Council, past chair of the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Missouri State Affairs Committee and a past president of Kansas City’s International Relations Council.
He serves currently as chair of the National Academy of Public Administration’s Membership Committee and as a member of the Board of Directors of the ASPA Endowment.
Erik is the proud recipient of the Park Student Government Association’s 2017-18 Tipton Award for alumni service to Park University and the 2019 Park University Department of Athletics Donald J. Breckon Lifetime Achievement Award.
Erik and his wife, Kimberlee, are actively involved in Kansas City philanthropic causes. They have co-chaired events for the Kansas City Ballet, reStart and the Metropolitan Organization to Counter Sexual Assault. He also volunteers as a public address announcer for Park University soccer, Parkville community events and for the KC Courage, an independent club in the Women’s Premier Soccer League.
In 2008, he co-edited the book, Civic Engagement in a Network Society.
He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Kansas and a Master of Public Affairs degree with an emphasis in Government-Business Relations from Park University. He also completed the Council of Independent Colleges’ Senior Leadership Academy and the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce’s Centurions Leadership Program.
MASL 
