Faculty & Staff

Many of our faculty members have won awards for their outstanding teaching and research.  Two are recipients of the Missouri State University Foundation Award for Teaching.  Another faculty member is currently the recipient of a University Fellow in Research.  Four of our faculty members are recipients of the Missouri State University Research Award and several have received College Research, Teaching, and Service Awards.   

If your advisor is not available, contact the Department Head at 417-836-5630 or send an email to: georgeconnor@missouristate.edu.

 

Faculty Areas of Expertise

Looking for a speaker at an upcoming meeting?  Click on the above link for faculty areas of expertise.

Department Head:       

• George E. Connor, Ph.D.        

Administrative Staff:

• Janet Leighton, Administrative Assistant
  email:  JanetLeighton@MissouriState.edu 
  Location:  Strong Hall 312
  Telephone:  836-5570
  
  
• Deanna Olson, Administrative Clerk
  email:  DeannaOlson@missouristate.edu
  Location:  Strong Hall 307
  Telephone:  836-5630
  
  
  
• Susan Smith, Undergraduate Advisor
  email:  SusanASmith@missouristate.edu
  Location:  Strong Hall 337
  Telephone:  836-5926
  • If you are a new political science major, first year student, or transfer student, please be sure to contact Ms. Smith.  She can help you determine what general education courses you need and what political science courses will best meet your areas of interest. 
  • Here is a link to our Undergraduate Advising Page

 

Professors:

Mark C. Ellickson, Ph.D. Dennis V. Hickey, Ph.D. Joel W. Paddock, Ph.D.

Yuhua Qiao, Ph.D. Mark E. Rushefsky, Ph.D.  Patrick G. Scott, Ph.D.

Associate Professors:

Brian Calfano, Ph.D. James Kaatz, Ph.D Gabriel Ondetti, Ph.D.

Kevin Pybas, Ph.D. David Romano, Ph.D

Assistant Professors:

Cigdem Cidam, Ph.D

David Johnson, Ph.D.

Instructors: 

Indira Palacios, Ph.D

                       

Adjunct Professor:  Dr. David Claborn
                                       Email:  davidclaborn@missouristate.edu

 

Per Course Instructors: 

• Nick Beatty, Strong Hall, Room 338
  Email:  NBeatty@MissouriState.edu
  Telephone:  836-6955

 

Emeritus Faculty:

• Gordon Friedman, Ph.D

• Beat Kernen, Ph.D

• Kant Patel, Ph.D.

• Robert Peace

• Denny Pilant, Ph.D

 

Graduate Assistants - The Department has several Graduate Assistantships available for the MPA and MGS programs.  These are awarded on a competitive basis.  For further information contact the Graduate Program Directors, Dr. Mark Rushefsky (MPA) or Dr. Dennis Hickey (MGS).