Education

Teaching Interests

PS 112: Writing & Politics

PS 118: Introduction to Political Science

PS 123: Introduction to American Government

PS 225: Statistics & Research Methods

PS 328/358: Moot Court

PS 329: Constitutional Law: Powers & Processes

PS 330: Constitutional Law: Civil Rights & Liberties

PS 345: Public Policymaking in the U.S.

Research

Publications

"Civic Engagment at Teaching-Focused Universities: Navigating the Challenges for Pre-Tenure Faculty." In Civic Pedagogy: Teaching Engagement in an Era of Divisive Politics (Springer Nature, 2023 forthcoming). Co-authored with W. O'Brochta & K. Saks.

Strategies for Navigating Graduate School and Beyond (American Political Science Association, 2022). Co-edited with D. Mallinson, J. Hellwege, D. Phoenix, and J. Cherie Strachan.

"Review of Hidden Laws: How State Constitutions Stablize American Politics." (2022) Publius 52(2): e22-e25.

"Democratic Isolation, Thin Citizenship, and Insurrection: A Theory." (2022) eJournal of Public Affairs 11(1): 13-25. Co-authored with K. Saks.

“Service Guarantees Citizenship: Portfolio Work, Populism, and Scaffolding in Introductory American Government Classrooms.” (2022) Journal of Political Science Education. Co-authored with K. Saks.

“Review of Sexual Minorities and Politics: An Introduction.” (2017) Journal of Political Science Education 13(2): 239-242.

“Michigan’s Legislature.” Chapter in edited volume, Michigan Government, Politics, and Policy (Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 2017). Co-authored with T. Bledsoe.

Conference Paper Presentations (Selected)

"Unpacking the Political Stream: Multiple Streams Framework, Political Entrepreneurs, and Agenda Setting." Midwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Chicago, IL, April 13-16, 2023. Co-authored with S. Zarb & M. Herring.

"Brighter Times Ahead but Don't Blow It Now: Assessing Racial and Gendered Impacts of COVID-19 Government Messages." European Conference on Politics & Gender, University of Ljubljana, July 6-8, 2022. Co-authored with S. Gancheva & K. Saks.

"Local Democracy or Perfunctory Legitimation? Explaining County Row Officer Elections." Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 7-9, 2022. Co-authored with B. Baybeck.

“Role of Periodic Conventions in Generating and Undermining Constitutional Support.” Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 14-18, 2021.

“The Jury Will Disregard: The Effects of Objectionable Evidence and Objections on Juror Behavior.” Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 14-18, 2021. Co-authored with K. Saks and K. Stepp.

“Courtroom Bias? A Study of Implicit Biases Faced by Asian-American Attorneys.” Southern Political Science Association, New Orleans, LA, January 7-9, 2021. Co-authored with S. Yarlagadda and K. Saks.

“Creating The People: How Do Students Conceptualize Proper Citizenship?” Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, IL, April 16-19, 2020. Co-authored with K. Saks and M. Schroeder.

“Pathways to Citizenship: Using Populism’s Ethos to Create Engaged Democratic Citizens.” International Teaching and Learning Conference, Brighton, UK, June 17-19, 2019. Co-authored with K. Saks.

Invited Presentations (Selected)

“Lame Duck: Pros, Cons, and Implications.” League of Women Voters Midland, MI Chapter (February 15, 2021). Co-presented with T. Bledsoe.

“Why It Matters: Civic and Electoral Participation.” Michigan Humanities Council (December 3, 2020). Co-presented with T. Henthorn.

TV Interview: Presidential Impeachment. WNEM TV5 (December 2019).

Law Day 2019 panelist: “Free Speech, Free Society, and Free Press.” Swartz Creek High School, Swartz Creek, MI (April 30, 2019).

“Ethical Behavior in the Age of Trump: The Importance of Norms and Ethics.” Workshop at the NACo Legislative Conference of the National Association of County Collectors, Treasurers & Finance Officers, Washington, D.C. (March 2-6, 2019).

Grants & Fellowships

Women, Gender & Politics Research Small Grant ($500). 2021, awarded by the Women, Gender, and Politics Research Section of the American Political Science Association (with S. Gancheva & K. Saks McManaway).

Centennial Center Research Support Grant ($2500). 2021, awarded by the Centennial Center for Political Science and Public Affairs (with K. Saks McManaway & K. Stepp).

Interdisciplinary Faculty Seed Grant ($3000). 2021, awarded by the Institution for Research on Women and Gender at the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor (with S. Gancheva & K. Saks McManaway).

Project Grant ($1000). 2020, awarded by the Rising Voices of the Asian-American Family Foundation (with S. Yargarladda & K. Saks McManaway).

LEO Inclusive Teaching Professional Development Grant ($1000). 2019, awarded by the University of Michigan-Flint.

Leda McIntyre Hall Ph.D. Fellowship in American Politics (inaugural holder). 2017-2018, awarded by the College of Liberal Arts and Science at Wayne State University.

Community Engagement

Election Canvasser Consultant, Bay County Board of Canvassers (2020-present).

Judge, We The People program, Michigan Center for Civic Education (2019-present).

Judge/Tutor, National History Day Competition, Michigan History Society (2016-present).

Member, Bay County Board of Canvassers (2010-2019).

Leadership

Member, Civic Learning & Democratic Engagement Working Group (American Political Science Association) (2022-present).

Member, Executive Council of the Michigan Political Science Association (2022-2025).

Assistant Coach, SVSU Moot Court Team (2021-present).

Advisor, Pi Sigma Alpha – Alpha Eta Sigma chapter (2021-present).

Advisor, College Republicans of SVSU (2020-present).

Member, Mentoring Committee of the Civic Engagement Section of the American Political Science Association (2020-present).

Reviewer, Political Research Quarterly (2020-present).

Reviewer, Publius: The Journal of Federalism (2019-present).

Reviewer, Journal of Political Science Education (2019-present).

Co-Coach, University of Michigan-Flint Moot Court Team (2019-2020).

Affiliations

Pi Alpha Alpha

American Political Science Association

Midwest Political Science Association

Southern Political Science Association

Michigan Political Science Association

Pi Sigma Alpha