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Saundra Ardrey Saundra Curry Ardrey

Coordinator for the Political Engagement Project at Western Kentucky University and Head of the Political Science Department, became politically active as a child marching and protesting with her father during the Civil Rights Movement. “As a child I thought marching and demonstrating was a normal activity for a Saturday family outing. It wasn’t until much later that I realized that not every child was exposed to the wonderful world of political engagement.”
A Political Science PhD graduate of Ohio State University, Ardrey specializes in political behavior, women and minority politics and African American cartoons as social and political commentary. All of her courses, whether it’s Women and Politics, Campaign Management, The African American Experience or Senior Seminar, contain some aspect of political engagement. In teaching, mentoring and advising, Ardrey’s goal is to share my excitement of the political process by making students aware of the diverse issues surrounding topics of social relevance and providing them with the civic skills necessary to influence policy. I want to motivate my students so that they can become educated citizens in this global society.
To enter into a dialogue with Dr. Ardrey, contact her at saundra.ardrey@wku.edu.

Christopher Antonsen

Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology, received his Ph.D in English (Folklore Studies), at Ohio State University. At WKU I teach graduate and undergraduate courses in Folklore that deal regularly with current cultural and social issues. I show my students how to think critically about cultures and cultural processes (especially those in which they participate and often take for granted) in order to understand themselves and others better. I am deeply interested in promoting political engagement within educational processes—for students as well as professors. At the same time, I am troubled by aspects of our broader social environment that regard teaching with suspicion, especially teaching that reflects a professor's opinions about what is right and wrong. In courses such as those that I teach, where culture is the core concept and is handled critically, it is inevitable that we will challenge some students' personal beliefs. Often when this happens, a student may feel I have "an agenda." Of course I do! It is to teach students to observe, understand, and accept differences that they often aren't already willing or prepared to deal with in those ways. That is in itself an agenda and it is at the heart of the course goals as well as much of the University's mission itself. There is no such thing as an apolitical educational experience. While it is easy for a professor to claim to be absolutely neutral it is impossible to actually be so. For more from Dr. Antonsen, visit his website at http://www.wku.edu/folkstudies/pages06/faculty_detail.php?id=2

Charles Borders Charles Terry Borders

Assistant Professor of History at the Bowling Green Community College, writes that “…Although I try to instruct my students in an unbiased manner, I am a great believer in Thomas Jefferson's philosophy of a well educated, well informed electorate. One of the major responsibilities of any instructor is to provide the tools for students to be responsible voters who understand the issues and the ramifications of their actions.” Borders received his M.A in History from Western Kentucky University. Contact email is charles.borders@wku.edu

Barry Brunson

Was a four-time college dropout, and compiled a colorful collection of varied work experiences before choosing to return to, and stick around in, academia. His interest in political engagement was fueled by activities in the civil rights and anti-war movement in the '60s. Having finally completed his Ph.D. in mathematics at Indiana University, he is a professor in the Department of Mathematics, and also serves as Faculty Fellow in the Women's Studies Program. While trained in probability, his strongest professional interests currently involve issues of curriculum reform and mathematical & scientific literacy and accessibility. There are multiple social and political reasons for promoting diversity and combating discrimination of all kinds. In addition to those reasons, completely sufficient by themselves, Barry's love for mathematics and science provides another. “What fascinating and valuable discoveries have not been made over the years, because the potential discoverer never had the opportunity to study, to learn, to contribute?"

Barry Kaufkins

Folk Studies Instructor in the Department of Folk Studies & Anthropology, received his MA in Folk Studies from Western Kentucky University. “My interest in political engagement stems from my own years as a college student. Faculty and administrators play a crucial role in promoting a culture of political awareness and activism. As a folklore instructor, I am responsible for ensuring that students have the skills necessary to draw connections between politics and their own customs, traditions, habits, and perceptions. Politically savvy students are motivated to participate in democracy.” Reach Kaufkins at barry.kaufkins@wku.edu

sol image Soleiman Kiasatpour

Ph.D. University of California, Riverside, is Assistant Professor of International and Comparative Politics. Having lived in Iran during the Shah’s reign, the Iranian Revolution, and the Iran-Iraq War, he has seen first hand how political engagement has both costs and benefits. Kiasatpour participated in the Civic Engagement in Action Series of the American Democracy Project's workshops at Yellowstone National Park in summer 2006, where he got a close look at the competing interests regarding wolf reintroduction, winter use of the park and bison and brucellosis management. He and a WKU student participant, Chris Whitfield, wrote “Politics in Action: Wolves, Snowmobiles and Bison and the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem” forthcoming in PS: Political Science & Politics. The article shows how faculty can use role play and framing activities to teach civic engagement. Kiasatpour says, "It is hard for some to see the value of political engagement in the world’s richest country. However, by demonstrating that injustices abound even in our neighborhoods and that the costs of disengagement of a citizenry can range from non-responsive governmental institutions to irresponsible decisions by people in positions of power who act with impunity, the urgency of political awareness and action become ever more apparent.” To contact and learn more about Dr. Kiasatpour's interests, visit his website: http://www.wku.edu/~soleiman.kiasatpour/

Kiasatpour is currently working on a Teaching Module for PEP in Action

Dana Burr Bradley

Received her PhD from Carnegie Mellon University in History and Public Policy. In her role as the Clifford Todd Distinguished Professor of Gerontology and Director of the Center for Gerontology, she nurtures advocates for all ages. Recently members of her Honors Gerontology 100 class developed a needs assessment based on the input of area seniors to shape a development project contiguous to WKU; seven of the students presented their work at the Southern Gerontology Society meeting. She is Co-Editor of the new international journal, Aging, Humanities, and the Arts , and through her work with AARP is committed to increasing awareness of the many ways older individuals contribute to their community. Her current research focuses on ageism and public policy, civic engagement and volunteerism. She may be reached at dana.bradley@wku.edu.

Beverly Siegrist, EdD , MS , RN, CNE

Is professor of Nursing and coordinator for the Masters of Science in Nursing program. Active in the community with service to the Warren County Board of Health, the March of Dimes and the Kentucky Public Health Leadership Institute, Siegrist, believes that “nurses must take an active role in influencing health care policy through the legislative and regulatory processes.” Dr. Siegrist is a fellow and graduate of the Nurse in Washington Internship (NIWI) Program that provides nurses the opportunity to learn how to influence health care policy. Interns learn from health policy experts and government officials, network with other nurses, and visit members of Congress. To find more information about this internship program, go to http://www.nursing-alliance.org/niwi.cfm or contact Dr. Siegrist at beverly.siegrist@wku.edu

Cecilia Watkins, Ph.D., C.H.E.S.

Assistant Professor, in the Department of Public Health is a graduate of the University of Tennessee . Her graduate work focused on public health, human ecology with a cultural studies cognate area. A politically engaged person herself with experience in presidential campaigning, Dr. Watkins takes her Community Organization students to the state capitol to observe the legislative process. Her graduate students are also engaged in a project that involves coalitions and community building. Dr. Watkins believes “…it is the responsibility of all educational institutes to expose students to the possibilities of political engagement. Whether they choose to continue those endeavors is the student's prerogative, but without the political engagement experience, they can not mindfully decide.” Cecilia.watkins@wku.edu

Nancy Rice

earned her Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Tennessee , Memphis . During her graduate studies, she was a National Science Foundation Summer Research Fellow in Japan and served as an intern at the National Academy of Science in Washington , D.C. As a result of these experiences, Rice has a keen interest in global scientific exchange and science policy. Following graduate work, she was funded by the National Institutes of Health as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Colorado in Boulder . As an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biology her research interests focus on investigating the m olecular and cellular mechanism of myofibroblast differentiation and understanding the transcriptional regulation of phosphorylase-b kinase expression. Teaching a wide range of classes such as Introductory Biology, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Advanced Cell Biology, Rice encourages students to think about many of the issues surrounding biological research and how these impact our society. She believes that her goal “… is to encourage students to become scientifically cognizant citizens who will make rational and relevant choices with regard to scientific legislation. Find out more at http://bioweb.wku.edu/faculty/Rice/default.html

Jennifer McCoy

one of our lead student team members, is a sophomore Interdisciplinary Childhood Education major from Bowling Green , Kentucky . Her career goal is to be an elementary school teacher. Jennifer explains that she's excited about the political engagement project because “it will give me the skills to lobby Kentucky legislators to appropriate more money for early childhood education. It's all about the kids.” Along with other team members, Jennifer is producing video presentations of PEP events and activities. Student team members are also creating and maintaining the podcast series for the PEP website.

Jack Montgomery Associate Professor and Collection Services Coordinator, Jack G. Montgomery

Earned his MLS at the University of Maryland–College Park. He writes a regular column for the Against the Grain magazine and serves on the editorial board. A much sought after speaker at regional and national programs, his topics include library and management related topics. In 2005, his book with co-author Eleanor I. Cook, Conflict Management for Libraries: A strategy for a Positive, Productive Workplace was published by ALA Editions. Montgomery writes that he is " … very interested in promoting political engagement within the university's educational process. Having been politically active in college during the 1970s, I understand the profound effect that astute political awareness and meaningful political activity can have in enhancing the total college experience even if the student is only active within the local sphere. I am also troubled by the apparent apathy, indifference, and sense of personal helplessness with regard to social issues that seems to have become a part of contemporary college life. It is vital to our society's health and future that students not only become aware of the issues that impact them and their future but that they learn how to make a difference." As a professional consultant, Montgomery conducts seminars on emotional intelligence to library groups nationwide. Jack is also a professional musician and has released two CDs of original and traditional folk music. To learn more, visit his websites: http://www.wku.edu/Library/whoswho/jackmontgomery.htm

http://shadowdancermusic.com/ or http://www.myspace.com/shadowdancerjack

Jenifer L. Lewis, Assistant Professor of Communication

Received her Ph.D from the University of Kansas in Communication Studies with a focus on campaign communication. Throughout her research, she draws on social identity theory and identification research as a means of examining and understanding political communication and political choices. Her courses in Political Communication, Leadership and Research Methods often focus on youth and politics, youth engagement and the political socialization of young citizens. She also examines women and minority groups as political actors, their communication choices, and the outcomes that result from those choices. Dr. Lewis explains her interest in political engagement As an undergraduate in Political Science I realized that I was different from many of my friends because I was politically engaged and interested in politics. Working for the Kansas Secretary of State, the chief election official, helped me realize the extent to which most people did not participate. Because of that experience I decided to focus my research on how young people become socialized to the political process. The goal is to encourage their participation. I'm excited about the Political Engagement Project because it focuses on helping students recognize that the political process is all around them and doesn't just occur during campaign season. Our efforts to put political engagement in the curriculum across campus will encourage and develop our next political activists and leaders. Reach Dr. Lewis at jenifer.lewis@wku.edu

Kristina Arnold

an Assistant Professor, gallery director and foundations instructor in the Department of Art, was born and raised inside the Beltway. Arnold grew up with a keen interest in politics. This interest was solidified when, in the early 1990s as an undergraduate at Brown University , she was inspired to solve the mounting US health care crisis, and so pursued a career in public health and health policy. Finding this too daunting and depressing a task, she U-turned, following a first love of the visual arts, obtaining her MFA from the University of Tennessee . A political actor still, she strongly believes in the power of the image to influence thought and create change.

Kristin Dowell

Department of Folk Studies and Anthropology, received her Ph.D. in Anthropology from New York University . In her research she works with Native American activists, artists, and filmmakers who use their art and media production to reclaim the screen to tell stories from their own perspectives and strengthen community and kinship ties. Media production has become a powerful vehicle through which Native Americans maintain cultural traditions, document oral histories, and enact indigenous sovereignty. Her courses in cultural relativism and a commitment to understanding and appreciating the tremendous global cultural diversity are central tenets in her courses, Visual Anthropology, Cultural Anthropology, Ethnographic Video Production, and Native American Cultures. Her goal is to challenge students to think critically about the world around them and to question the cultural categories that they often take for granted, whether by exploring race and gender as categories that are socially constructed or examining diverse kinship structures among cultures around the world so that students understand there is no universal pattern to how people create “family” or “marriage”. Dowell pushes students to develop a critically relativist approach to understanding contemporary issues by examining cultures within and outside of the United States . This analytical cross-cultural comparative lens enables students to apply the anthropological theoretical frameworks to current issues within U.S. public discourse. Dowell's interest in political engagement stems from her commitment to “shared anthropology” and collaborative working relationships with the Native American communities with whom she has conducted research. She believes that she is

…to inspire students to see the relevance of an anthropological perspective and to become more politically engaged by applying anthropological concepts to contemporary social issues in the U.S. as well as globally. I see anthropology as a discipline that is central to a pedagogy that will develop students as politically engaged and active citizens and work to enrich this approach in my courses. You can reach Dr. Dowell at kristen.dowell@wku.edu