I am a PhD Candidate in the Department of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland studying American politics. I specialize in political behavior, public opinion, aging politics and policy, political socialization, and research methods.
Current research interests center on the influence of local community demographics for individual residents' political attitudes and behaviors, politics throughout the life span, and political learning and civic engagement.
My dissertation project combines the first two interests by examining the impact of an aged local context for residents' attitudes and behaviors. This work will lend itself to comparative work in the future, but for now, I focus on generations unique to the United States. I will complete the requirements for my doctorate in the spring of 2012.
In the future, my research agenda will include projects that seek a better understanding of how young and older people learn about politics-learning about the settings, life stages, and educational experiences that encourage (or discourage) political engagement in American democracy.
I have also published in the areas of religion and politics, political geography, and academic journal transparency.
I "discovered" American politics in the 3rd grade. My class watched the television as President Clinton took the oath of office. I was confused. Why was the person for whom my parents voted and the winner of my school-wide election, not the individual becoming the President of the United States on that cold day in January? And, my political awareness began.
That pivotal day occurred at Lawrenceville Elementary in Lawrenceville, Georgia where I spent most of my childhood. After graduating high school, I moved to Athens, Georgia to attend the University of Georgia, where I earned degrees in Political Science and Public Relations. I worked as a kindergarten assistant teacher for one year before beginning graduate school in the fall of 2007.
When I am not reading and writing, I enjoy spending time with my husband, Will and daughter, Nola. Other loves include ice cream and college football.