Dominika Bukalova
Dominika Bukalova took a unique path to pursue a career in academia. She worked as a professional in San Diego city government for several years while she pursued a Ph.D.
Yet her academic research interest, coupled with her re
al- world experience, carved the perfect path to bring her to SDSU Imperial Valley where she is the new public administration assistant professor this semester.
“What is fantastic about SDSU Imperial Valley and the local community,” she said, “is it sounds like I’m going to be able to get to know everyone.”
Cultivating relationships, or the informal ways leaders build their leadership skills, is right up Bukalova’s alley. Actually, studying the formal and informal ways leaders develop their competencies to address their challenges is the basis of her ac
ademic research.
She said her research shows informal methods, such as building relationships and networking, are among the most eective ways to cultivate and grow leadership skills.
“The importance of relationships are critical to developing leadership competencies,” she said, “A small community is more conducive to building strong relationships. And I am looking forward to working closely with my students, colleagues and the community here,” she said.
Bukalova has more real-world
experience with small communities than her curriculum vitae might indicate. She was born in a small town in the former Czechoslovakia and came to the United States with her family when she was 10.
She earned a B.A. in political science and international relations from The George Washington University, an M.A. in political science from SDSU and her Ph.D. in leadership studies from the University of San Diego.
She worked in local government in San Diego, even as she completed work on her advanced degrees. Her experience
includes serving as Chief of Sta to the San Diego City Council President, Director of Policy and being a committee consultant for the San Diego City Council. She also is a certified leadership coach. Her professional experience includes strategic planning and leadership development consulting.
She is enthusiastic about the size of the classes at SDSU Imperial Valley. “My goal is to get to know my students and learn how I can best support them in developing their leadership skills.”