Teaching
Teaching Experience
My teaching experience includes on-campus teaching (Public Administration; Public Policy Problems; Qualitative Methods), on-line teaching (Political Science Research Methods; Qualitative Methods), and course development (Research Methods; Policy Analysis). I have received positive scores in my teaching evaluations, including scores higher than the departmental and university medians. I am comfortable teaching undergraduate and graduate-level courses, especially those focused on public policy, policy analysis and/or social and political change. Finally, I enjoy helping students identify and supporting them with internship, capstone project and/or career development opportunities.
Teaching Approach
My preferred teaching approach emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of public policy and related research, and I am heterodox in my approach to related research approaches and methods. I enjoy supporting students in their efforts to comprehend and complete the work, providing timely response to questions and requests, and encouraging students to share their own experience in the classroom. I consider my role as teacher to be multi-faceted, including teacher, advisor and mentor.
Teaching to Diverse Backgrounds
I am committed to supporting all students and colleagues articulate and achieve their educational goals regardless of demographic characteristics, sexual orientation, political orientation, religious tradition or (dis)ability. I strongly believe that diversity in the classroom, of various kinds, offers an opportunity for learning from others, but that it is critical to foster an environment that encourages such learning. Moreover, students come to the classroom with a variety of academic strengths and challenges, in addition to their diverse backgrounds and values. My main objective is to help all students feel like they belong in the classroom and have something to contribute, no matter what their background, personal characteristics or academic skills.
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To ensure my capacity to serve a diverse student body, I have completed formal training at Oregon State University, including a Social Justice Education Initiative workshop, Disability Services Accommodation training, and an Inclusive Online Teaching course. I also completed training in Assignment and Assessment Design while at California Polytechnic State University.
Mentoring Students
Finally, I have made concerted efforts to provide students with opportunities to assist with my research. While working with the Division of Extension & Engagement, I have worked with both graduate-level interns and undergraduate research assistants. At Cal Poly, I served as a mentor in the BEACoN program, a research fellowship for underrepresented students. I also mentored a Summer Undergraduate Research Program (SURP) recipient. These interactions have resulted in presentations and publications.
Public Policy Analysis
POLS 518
Contextual, problem oriented analysis of the societal problems and possible solutions to them. Development and use of concepts and tools related to policy evaluation with particular emphasis on qualitative methods.
Intro to Public Policy
POLS 515
Theoretical and practical approaches to public policy making and contemporary policy issues such as markets; regulation; criminal justice; housing; environment; poverty; health care and education.
Qualitative Research Methods
PPOL 523
An introduction to the theory and methods of qualitative research, including research design, data collection, analysis and presentation.
Public Policy Problems
PS 371
The content and the politics of adoption and application of such policy areas as defense, poverty and welfare, macroeconomics, and regulation.
Research Methods
PS 300
Qualitative and quantitative approaches to the study of political phenomena. The role of values, theory, hypothesis, data collection, and analysis in evaluating and conducting political science research. (Writing Intensive Course)