Pamplin College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences
Department of Social Sciences
My teaching interests center on helping students understand how the American government is organized and how its institutions influence everyday life. I focus on presenting the structure and processes of government clearly and objectively, encouraging students to think critically about how it operates and affects them.
My research interests focus on how college instructors design clear, usable learning experiences that help students understand expectations and practice important skills before they are graded. I study instructional design, teaching with media, and the thoughtful use of tools like simulations to support learning without losing the core principles of good teaching. I am especially interested in work that helps faculty make small, practical improvements that have a real impact on student learning.