Department Administration
Staff
Ms. Melissa Dean, Department SecretaryDepartmental Secretary II
Troy University
331 McCall Hall (MSCX)
Telephone: (334) 670-5926
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Chair and Directors
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Michael O. Slobodchikoff, Ph.D., ChairAreas of Interest: Russia, Former Soviet Union, International Cooperation, Networks,
International Law, Security, International Conflict.
Chair / Associate Professor of Political Science Ph.D., Political Science, University of Arizona Michael O. Slobodchikoff has published many peer-reviewed articles. His first book entitled Strategic Cooperation: Overcoming the Barriers of Global Anarchy was published in 2013, his next book, entitled Building Hegemonic Order Russia's Way: Rules, Stability and predictability in the Post-Soviet Space, was published in 2014. His current book is entitled Cultural Imperialism and the Decline of the Liberal Order: Russian and Western Soft Power in Eastern Europe and is coauthored with G. Doug Davis. He is an Associate Professor of Political Science as well as Chair of the Political Science Department at Troy University. He specializes in relations between Russia and the former Soviet states, international conflict and peace, security, and comparative politics. He is a regular contributor to Russia Direct, and has often served as an analyst on Russian relations with Ukraine for BBC World News as well as Voice of Russia Radio. |
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Richard Ledet, Ph. D., Associate ChairAreas of Interest: Religion and politics, Research Methods and Applications, Political Culture and Civil Society, US Politics, Political and Democratic Development Associate Chair/ Assistant Professor of Political Science Ph.D., Political Science, University of Notre Dame Rich Ledet is currently an Associate Professor of Political Science at Troy University, in Troy, Alabama. A former US Army Infantryman (1995-1997), and Infantry Squad Leader in the Louisiana National Guard (1997-2000), Ledet earned a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Notre Dame in 2011, and served as an Army Civilian field researcher in Afghanistan in 2012. He teaches American and Comparative politics courses, and conducts research into the political consequences of identity, culture, and religion, with an emphasis on state-building and democracy. |
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G. Douglas Davis, Ph. D., Director of the Master's of Science in International Relations ProgramAreas of Interest: Research Methods, Europe
Director of MSIR Program / Associate Professor Ph.D., Political Science, University of Arizona |
Department Faculty
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Robert F. Abbey, Jr., Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Quantitative Analysis, Program Evaluation, Research Methods and Policy Analysis, Prediction of Hazard and Risk Probabilities of Natural Disasters, and Organizational Theory and Behavior Associate Professor of Public Administration
Ph.D., Public Administration, University of Southern California Dr. Robert F. Abbey, Jr., is an Associate Professor of Public Administration at Troy University. Prior to 2002, Dr. Abbey served for 30 years in the federal government, first as Director of Meteorology research for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (originally the Atomic Energy Commission) from 1972-1983, then in a similar position with the Office of Naval Research from 1983-2002. He has authored over 80 publications and several book chapters, primarily on application of extreme value theory to natural phenomena. He is a fellow of the American Meteorological Society and a “Certified Consulting Meteorologist.” He was the lead consultant on a $1 M grant to evaluate the effectiveness of teaching American History in Cleveland, OH, public schools. In 2012, he was awarded “Adjunct Faculty of the Year” by American University. He is also a consultant to Sage Publications and the Weather Channel. He was a consultant and participant in the PBS documentary “Mr. Tornado” that was broadcast on May 19. 2020. His current research interests include examining different thinking styles across organizational cultures and generations. |
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Terry Anderson, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Public Policy, Corruption, Program Evaluation and Grant Writing and Management Associate Professor of Public Administration
Troy University tanderson@troy.edu Ph.D., Public Administration, Florida Atlantic University Dr. Anderson joined the faculty of Troy University in January 1998. Prior to that, she worked in law enforcement for 21 years, first with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (1976-1983) and later with the Broward Sheriff's Office (1983-1997). Her academic background is di-verse. She earned undergraduate degrees from Stetson University (B.A. in Russian, 1972) and the University of Central Florida (B.A. in History, 1973). In addition, she has a certificate in Statistics from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Graduate School (1982). She completed a Master of Science in Management degree at St. Thomas University (1989). Finally, her Ph.D. in Public Administration was completed at Florida Atlantic University in 1997. Dr. Anderson has travelled extensively, including over 20 trips to the Republic of Georgia where she has taught numerous courses in both the MPA and International Relations programs at the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs (GIPA) and consulted to develop and deliver seminars, including one in Organizational Management to former President Saakashvili's Public Affairs Staff. She has published several articles and case studies and one book, entitled, Public Administration in Transition: Managing the Public Sector in an Emerging Democracy. In February 2015, she spent 4 weeks in Ukraine delivering several seminars on the subject of public policy and good governance, establishing what is becoming a long-term relationship with Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) in Lviv, Ukraine. Dr. Anderson has served as a consultant with UCU, helping them to develop a full MPA program to add to their current offerings and has returned to UCU twice since the program began in September 2015 to teach MPA courses. |
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Melissa Bailey, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: nonprofit management and leadership, grant writing and management, public value, cross-sector collaborations, education policy Assistant Professor of Public Administration BS, University of West Alabama MPA, Auburn University Montgomery Ph.D. Public Administration and Public Policy, Auburn University
Dr. Melissa Bailey is a native of Berry, AL. She joined the faculty at Troy University in 2018. Dr. Bailey has over 13 years of nonprofit and government experience. With broad experience in nonprofit administration, she has managed fundraising campaigns and events that engaged board members, mobilized volunteers, and dramatically increased giving. She is also an expert grant writer and manager. She was recognized for her outstanding contributions to the Alabama Department of Homeland Security by Governor Bob Riley. She was awarded a Black Excellence Award in the area of nonprofit leadership for exemplifying excellence in the Shoals community. And she recently received the distinction of being the University of West Alabama’s Most Distinguished Alumni in the College of Liberal Arts. |
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Joel Campbell, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Politics and Political Economy of Northeast and Southeast Asia, Science and Technology Policy, International Security, International Political History, and Film and Politics Associate Professor of International Relations
Ph.D., Political Science, Miami University (Ohio)
Joel R. Campbell is an Associate Professor of Political Science in the Pacific Region (Japan and Korea) of the Global Campus program of Troy University. He teaches in the Masters of Science in International Relations (MSIR) program. He has served as faculty chair for the Troy Pacific Region, has been a member of the Institutional Review Board and the Faculty Senate. He is now on the Undergraduate Academic Council. He has taught at global political economy at Tohoku University, politics and economics at Miyazaki International College and political economy and business at Kansai Gaidai University in Japan, as well as international relations at Chung Ang University, political economy and public policy at Kyung Hee University and East Asian political history at Yonsei University in Korea. He has published extensively on his principal research interests, the politics and political economy of Northeast Asia, along with technology policy and international security |
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Kern W. Craig, Ph. D.Research interests: political economy Associate Professor
Ph. D., University of Mississippi Professor Craig began teaching for Troy University in 2004. He previously taught for a number of other colleges and universities since his wife’s career as an Air Force officer required many moves. His academic qualifications include a B.Sc. in Business Administration from California State University, an M.B.A. in Management from Fairleigh Dickinson University, and a Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of Mississippi. Professor Craig's doctoral dissertation was entitled "Empirical Tests of Dependency Theory in the Contemporary Commonwealth Caribbean." |
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Tammy Esteves, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Social Media use for civic engagement, and emergency preparedness and response, Sustainability, eLearning, and the Role of Technology in Building Community Assistant Professor of Public Administration Troy University
BA, American Government, University of Virginia
Tammy Barnett Esteves, Ph.D., is a native Virginian, now living in Orlando. Dr. Esteves ("Dr. E" to her students) brings both practical and academic experience to the field of public administration. She has been a full-time faculty member with Troy University's MPA program since 2002. Prior to TROY, she taught for Christopher Newport University, the University of Richmond, and Indiana State University. She has also taught individual courses for NC State, Virginia Commonwealth University, James Madison University and The Presidio Graduate School. Prior to entering the world of academia, her practical experiences included work as training coordinator for Virginia Blood Services; human resources director for International AutoSport; community services coordinator for the Jefferson Area Board for Aging; development coordinator for the Virginia Discovery Museum; and Interim Executive Director for Avalon, a women's shelter in Williamsburg, Virginia. Dr. Esteves is very active in the American Society for Public Administration and the International Leadership Association. She primarily teaches Research Methods, Leadership in Public Administration, eGovernance, Public Health Preparedness and Emergency Response, and in 21-22 will offer a new course, Social Marketing. Her main research interest is the role of technology for building community, particularly in the areas of social media, smart cities, and civictech. She brings these interests into the classroom with creative assignments to get students to think outside the box and make connections to the world around them, encouraging whole person education and lifelong learning. |
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Pamela A. Gibson, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Ethics and Moral Development, Citizen Participation in Policy Formation, Research-Practice Gap, and Cyberbullying Associate Professor of Public Administration
Ph.D., Public Policy and Administration, Virginia Commonwealth University Dr. Pamela A. Gibson is an Associate Professor at Troy University. Prior to joining Troy, she taught for Old Dominion University and individual courses for the University of Virginia, University of Richmond, Virginia Commonwealth University and Christopher Newport University. She earned her PhD in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University, a Master of Public Administration degree from VCU and a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of Virginia. Prior to entering academia, she served the public in professional positions in the mental health field as Services Coordinator for Cobb and Douglas County Board of Health; consultant for the Kennedy Institute in Washington and Center for Community Development in Maryland; and Director of Residential Services for Rock Creek Foundation of Maryland and Butler County Pennsylvania. Her research interests include administrative ethics and immigration policy, cyber-service in the public sphere, and empirical assessment of moral reasoning. Her research has been published in Human Resource Management Review, Public Administration Quarterly, Journal of Public Affairs Education, Ethics & Behavior and Public Integrity. |
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Michael Guo-Brennan, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Public Administration with Global Perspectives, Civic Capacity and Engagement, Education Policy and Administration, Immigration Policy, Comparative Policy and Politics, Non-profit Management, Emergency Management, Organizational Theory, Ethics and Leadership, Mixed-Methods Research Assistant Professor of Public Administration Ph.D. Urban and Public Affairs, University of Louisville
Dr. Michael Guo-Brennan is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Troy University. He also serves as an adjunct professor in the Faculty of Education at the University of Prince Edward Island. His teaching is focused on global competency in public administration, public/non-profit policy and administration, organizational leadership, ethics in public administration, political science, educational policy making, emergency management, and diversity issues in public administration and urban education. His research addresses critical issues on public policy and administration from global perspectives, urban education reform, immigration policy and crisis management. |
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David R. Hayes, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: International Political Economy, International Relations Theory, International Power, and Terrorism Assistant Professor of International Relations
Ph.D., Political Science, University of Rochester |
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Alexis Henshaw, Ph. D.Research Interests: civil wars, gender issues in international politics, and post-conflict transitions in Latin America Assistant Professors of Political Science
ALEXIS HENSHAW is Assistant Professor at Troy University. Her research |
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Hae S. Kim, Ph. D.Research Interests: Professor of International Relations eunhaen@troy.edu Ph.D., |
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Thomas Kolasa, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Comparative Politics, American Politics, Political Theory Assistant Professor of Political Science Ph.D., Political Science, Washington University |
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Dayna McDaniel, Ph. D.Areas of interest: Public Health and Personnel Management Senior Lecturer of Public Administration
Ph.D., Public Administration, University of Alabama Dr. Dayna McDaniel holds a Doctorate in Public Administration from the University of Alabama, an M.S. in Management, and a B.S. in Political Science. Academic Experience: College instructor since 1990, Full-time instructor for Troy University teaching research methods, public personnel, and public health courses. Dr. McDaniel has taught as adjunct Professor for UWF, Embry Riddle, Barry University, OWCC, St Leo, and other colleges in Management Graduate and Undergraduate, Health Service Administration, and Public Administration. Her academic research has been in the areas of instructor online training and better communication with online students and advising online. She also has developed several internal organizations for the faculty and students use in which led to published articles as well as consulting with other departments and other educational institutions on the models. Public Administration Experience; Dr. Dr. McDaniel began her political science career as an White House intern for the White House News Summary Office at White House Washington DC under the Reagan Administration and later became a Legislative Aid for Florida State House of Representatives in the Panhandle. Dr. McDaniel also had local county employment experience with her teaching career that began as an elementary (1-2nd Grade) and high school (algebra) teacher at Riverside, CA. Military Career Experience: In Dr. McDaniel's military career, she is a retired Lt. Colonel in the Air Force Reserve Hospital Administrator (last assigned to HQ Air Force Special Operations Surgeon's office, Hurlburt Field) as the augmenter for the Command's Health Service Administrator. Lt. Col. McDaniel's past assignments are as follows: Mission Coordinator for Humanitarian Civic Action Missions in South America for the 919 Medical Squadron and Medical Readiness Officer, interim Squadron Hospital Administrator for the 919 Medical Squadron, Air Evacuation Operations officer for "live" patient missions on flying status for 68 Air Evacuation Squadron Norton AFB, CA (several patient evacuation missions accomplished throughout the European and Pacific theater); Director of Personnel for the 414 Medical Squadron, March AFB, CA. |
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Daniel A. Pinkston, Ph. D.Areas of Interest: Politics, security, and political economy of Northeast Asia; authoritarian politics; North Korea, WMD proliferation. Lecturer of International Relations Ph.D. International Affairs, University of California, San Diego |
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Clifton Sherrill, J.D., Ph. D.Areas of Interest: National Security, Nuclear Policy, Counterterrorism, and the Middle East. Associate Professor of International Relations Ph.D., Political Science, Florida State University Dr. Sherrill holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science from the University of South Alabama, a Master's degree in Defense & Strategic Studies from Missouri State University, a J.D. from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock’s Bowen School of Law, and a Ph.D. in International Relations from Florida State University. A Marine Corps veteran, he has also engaged in private legal practice, worked in the Pentagon’s Office of Counterproliferation Policy, and served as an intelligence analyst in the federal government, including deployment to Iraq in 2005 - 2006 and assignment to the National Counterterrorism Center. Dr. Sherrill accepted an offer to join the faculty of Troy University in 2010. He currently works in Troy's Pacific Region, specializing in national security studies in the graduate International Relations program. His research interests include U.S. defense policy, nuclear strategy, and counterterrorism. Geographically, he focuses on both the Middle East (particularly Iran) and Asian-Pacific security affairs. His recent book Losing Legitimacy: The End of Khomeini's Charismatic Shadow and Regional Security (Lanham: Lexington Press, 2018), argues that the pending succession of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, will force the regime to confront its absence of popular legitimacy. Dr. Sherrill has published articles in Nonproliferation Review, Orbis, Strategic Insights, Comparative Strategy, Middle East Policy, Asian International Review, Journal of Asian Security and International Affairs, and Asian Affairs: An American Review. He is a regular book reviewer for Choice, publishing over 30 book reviews on nuclear strategy, Asian-Pacific security, and Iranian politics. |
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Maryam T. Stevenson, J.D., Ph.D.Areas of Expertise: immigration law and policy Assistant Professor of Political Science PhD, University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Dr. Stevenson is an Assistant Professor at Troy University and teaches courses in American politics in Troy’s Political Science department, as well as courses in Public Policy and Administrative Law for the MPA program. She is currently working on a book manuscript on congressional behavior on immigration policy and a joint book project on the Australian High Court.
Prior to entering academia, Dr. Stevenson practiced administrative law with an emphasis on physician/health care immigration. She continues to consult with clients on skilled worker immigration matters. |
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Brandon Stewart, Ph. D.Research Interests: Ethnic Politics, Political Violence, East European Politics, and African Politics Assistant Professor of Political Science
Brandon Stewart is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at Troy University, Phenix City Campus. Dr. Stewart received his PhD in Political Science from the University of North Texas. His primary research interests include Ethnic Politics, Political Violence, East European Politics, and African politics. You can find his research published in journals such as Nationalism and Ethnic Politics and Social Science Quarterly |
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Feng Sun, Ph. D.Research Interests: Associate Professor of International Relations Troy University Ph.D., Political Science, University of Alabama |
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Steven L. Taylor, Ph.D.Research Interests: democratic institutions, parties, and elections in a comparative context with a geographical focus on Latin America
Dean, College of Arts & Sciences-Troy Campus Professor of International Relations
Troy University Troy Campus
Ph.D., Government, University of Texas at Austin Steven L. Taylor earned his BA in Political Science from the University of California, Irvine in 1990 and his Ph.D. in Government from the University of Texas at Austin in 1996. He joined the faculty of then Troy State University in 1998, serving in a faculty role and eventually as Chair of the Political Science Department until his appointment as Dean of Arts and Sciences in March of 2016. His main areas of academic expertise are those of democratic institutions, parties, and elections in a comparative context with a geographical focus on Latin America. He is the author of Voting amid Violence: Electoral Democracy in Colombia (Northeastern University Press, 2009) as well as articles, book chapters, and reference entries on Colombian politics. His most recent book is A Different Democracy: American Government in a Thirty-One Country Perspective (Yale, 2014) which he co-authored with Matthew S. Shugart, Arend Lijphart and Bernard Grofman. |