WCU is a University of North Carolina Campus
Political Science and Public Affairs Faculty
Professionally active and representing a diverse and broad range of interests and backgrounds, our faculty are determined to provide you with a world-class education that will prepare you to compete and find success in the fields of political science and public administration … anywhere!
Leading locally, within the Western community and across the region, our faculty members are committed to your education. Leaders in their disciplines, they are widely respected for their research and dedication to their fields.
Their real-world knowledge translates into the classroom by providing you with a depth of academic experience and practical understanding that will prepare you to excel in today’s world of politics and public administration.
Browse the links below and get to know our faculty.
Full-Time Faculty & Staff
| Gibbs Knotts | Ph.D.; Department Head; Associate Professor; American Politics, Public Administration, Research Methods |
| Claudia Bryant | Ph.D.; Assistant Professor; American Politics, Public Administration |
| Todd Collins | Ph.D.; Assistant Professor; Public Law, Judicial |
| Chris Cooper | Ph.D.; M.P.A. Director, Assistant Professor; American Politics, Public Administration, Research Methods |
| Fred Fisher | Instructor |
| Sean Hildebrand | ABD.; Visiting Assistant Professor |
| Lynn Kaufman | Administrative Coordinator |
| David Liu | Ph.D.; Visiting Assistant Professor; International Relations, Comparative Politics |
| Don Livingston | Ph.D.; Professor; American Politics |
| Gordon Mercer | Ph.D.; Director of the Public Policy Institute; Professor; Public Policy Administration |
| Niall Michelsen | Ph.D.; Associate Professor; Associate Dean of Arts and |
| Sciences; International Relations | |
| Vickey Wade | Director of Local Government and Training Program (LGTP) |
Part-Time Faculty & Staff
| Mark Crawford | Visiting Lecturer |
| Vera Guise | Visiting Assistant Professor |
| Michael O'Neill | Visiting Lecturer |
| Brian Pollins | Visiting Lecturer |
| Jeff Richardson | |
| Mary Walsh |