Curriculum Vitae

My work is centered on a simple idea: political science should help people better understand the systems that shape their lives. Through teaching, research, public scholarship, and civic engagement, I seek to make complex political concepts accessible while equipping students and communities with the tools to think critically about institutions, incentives, power, and democratic participation.

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I earned my B.A. in Political Science from Wright State University and my M.A. and Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Missouri. Since joining the faculty at the University of Texas at Tyler in 2017, my work has expanded across scholarship, teaching, public engagement, curriculum development, and multimedia civic education.

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My scholarly contributions include books, peer-reviewed research, invited presentations, and public commentary on American politics, political behavior, race and ethnicity, media, civic engagement, and democratic institutions. I am also the creator of The System Works, a multimedia initiative that blends political science, storytelling, original music, and visual media to help audiences better understand how systems produce political outcomes.

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Teaching remains the foundation of my professional identity. I strive to create learning experiences that are intellectually rigorous, engaging, and relevant to the challenges students face beyond the classroom. In recognition of this work, I was honored with the 2023 University of Texas System Regents' Outstanding Teaching Award, one of the highest distinctions for teaching excellence within the UT System.

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This curriculum vitae reflects the breadth of my work as a scholar, educator, speaker, and public intellectual. It documents my ongoing commitment to advancing political science through research, innovative teaching, institutional leadership, and meaningful engagement with the communities we serve.