Department of Political Science || Faculty and Staff

Faculty and Staff

Department chair

Margaret Ferguson (Ph.D. University of North Carolina) Associate Professor. State politics, US politics, welfare politics.

Full-time faculty

Ramla Bandele (Ph.D. Northwestern University) Associate Professor. US politics, urban politics, African-American politics.

William Blomquist (Ph.D. Indiana University) Professor. State and local politics, US politics.

Aaron Dusso (Ph.D, George Washington University) Assistant Professor. US politics.

Erin Engels (JD Indiana University) Lecturer. Introduction to Politics, American politics, Introduction to Law, paralegal studies.

Bessie House-Soremekun (Ph.D. University of Denver) Professor. African Studies, African American Studies and Women’s Studies.

John McCormick (Ph.D. Indiana University) Professor. Comparative politics, European Union, transatlantic relations.

Scott Pegg (Ph.D. University of British Columbia) Associate Professor. International relations.

Jasper Sumner (MA University of Oklahoma). Lecturer. Comparative politics, international relations, political theory.

Brian Vargus (Ph.D. Indiana University) Professor. Public opinion, political behavior, research methods, elections and campaigns.

Scott Wallace (Ph.D candidate, University of Illinois) Lecturer. Introduction to Politics, international relations.

David Weiden (Ph.D. University of Texas at Austin; JD University of Denver) Assistant Professor and Director - Paralegal Studies Program. Legal Studies, US politics, public policy.

Associate faculty

Justin Evans (JD/MBA Indiana University). Law Clerk to Hon. Brent E. Dickson (Justice, Indiana Supreme Court). Interests: Introduction to American Politics, Chinese Politics, Contract Law for Paralegals.

Cyrus Hayat (MA Indiana University). Interests: Introduction to American Politics.

Sam Hodson (JD Indiana University). Attorney, Barnes and Thornburg, LLP. Interests: Introduction to law.

Jim Holden (JD Indiana University). Chief Deputy and General Counsel, Office of the State Treasurer. Interests: Introduction to American Politics and Introduction to law.

Kristina Sheeler (Ph.D. Indiana University) Assistant Professor of Communication Studies, IUPUI. Interests: Political Communication.

Terry Simmons (Ph.D. University of Miami at Coral Gables). Interests: Comparative Politics, Russian-American relations and the Middle East.

Mark Stratton (MA Ball State University). Indiana Legislative Services Agency. Interests: US Politics and Public Policy.

LaWanda Ward (JD Indiana University). Director for Pro Bono and Public Interest, Office of Professional Development, IU School of Law. Interests: Introduction to Law, Women and the Law.

Rafia Zakaria (JD Indiana University). Country Specialist Amnesty International (Middle East Group). Interests: Comparative Political Theory, Islamic Political Theory, Identity Politics & South Asian Politics.

Paralegal Studies faculty

Bruce Andis (JD Indiana University). Attorney: Tort law.

Andrew Ault (JD Indiana University). Deputy Prosecutor. Interests: Legal Research, Property Law, Spanish

Maureen Keefe (JD Indiana University). Attorney, Law Office of Maureen T. Keefe. Interests: Criminal Law, Introduction to Law and Civil Litigation.

Kristine Lindley (JD University of Illinois). Attorney, Skiles DeTrude LLP. Interests: Litigation.

Michele Lofthouse (JD Indiana University). Attorney, Skiles DeTrude. Interests: Legal Research and Writing, Civil Litigation.

Kim Dean Mattingly (JD/MBA Indiana University). Master Commissioner, Marion Superior Court, Civil Division. Interests: Introduction to law, family law, contracts.

Sarah Nagy (JD Indiana University). Private practice attorney. Interests: Criminal Law.

Konstantine Kim Orfanos (JD Indiana University). Attorney, Orfanos and Alvarado LLC. Interests: Wills, Trusts and Estate Law.

Jennifer Thuma (JD University of Cincinnati). Associate General Counsel, Indianapolis Airport Authority. Interests: Middle Eastern Politics

Thomas Quigley (JD Indiana University). Deputy Attorney General. Interests: Legal research and writing.

Gary Vestermark (JD/MA The George Washington University). Attorney. Interests: Business Transactions and International Law.