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PPI Director - Dr. Todd Collins
Todd Collins is an Assistant Professor of Political Science and Interim Director of the Public Policy Institute. His work on the courts, public policy, immigration, media, the presidency, and Congress has appeared in Political Research Quarterly, the Maryland Law Review, PS: Political Science and Politics, Judicature, Law and Policy, White House Studies, Politics and Religion, and other journals. He has won awards in recognition for outstanding research and teaching.
Graduate Assistants
Sam Riddle - Public Affairs
Sam is from Yadkinville, NC. He graduated from UNC-Asheville with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a minor in Economics. Sam began working in the Public Policy Institute as a Graduate Assistant during the Fall 2011 semester.
Contact Sam @ s.riddle21@yahoo.com
Laura Dintsch - Public Affairs
Laura is a recent graduate from WCU and is a Criminal Justice major. She began working in the PPI as a Graduate Assistant during the Spring 2012 semester. She has lived in Asheville for the past 16 years and loves it. She would like to stay in this area after she finishes school. She is currently employed at The Grove Park Inn. Laura hopes to have a career in criminal rehabilitation.
Contact Laura @ ldintsch@gmail.com
Emily Elders - Public Affairs
A native of Jackson County, Emily has worked with local governments, businesses, and nonprofits on environmental projects and policy, events, and fundraising and development, and is a former small business owner. She attended Southwestern Community College and UNC-Asheville and studies social philosophy and policy at WCU. She lives in Sylva with her daughter.
Contact Emily @ emelders@email.wcu.edu
Maggie Chandler - Public Affairs
Maggie is a recent graduate from WCU. She graduated Cum Laude and from the Honors College. Maggie is from Hendersonville, NC and began working in the PPI as a Graduate Assistant in the Fall 2012 semester.
Contact Maggie @ mechandler3@catamount.wcu.edu
Undergraduate Assistant
Joseph Beshara
PPI Alumni
Thaddeus Huff - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs
Charlie Foxx - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs
Sami Disu - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs (2008-2009)
Brooke Crompton - Graduate Assistant-Public Affairs (2009-2010). Currently employed with the City of Asheville
Robert Blankenship - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs
Darren Dodd - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs
Wade Livingston - Undergraduate Student. Currently Assistant Professor at Clemson University
Michael Hancock - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs
Jonathan Sofley - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs
Trisha Harden - Graduate Assistant-Public Affairs. Currently employed with the City of Asheville
Amanda Shirk - Undergraduate Student in PSC and education
Jason Coggins - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs
Ronnie Hewitt - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs.
Demorris Davis - Undergraduate Student in PSC.
John Westbrooks - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs. Currently employed as a US Air Marshall.
Alex Pellom - Graduate Assistant - Public Affairs. Currently employed as Emergency Preparedness Planner with the City of Jacksonville, FL.
Greg Hirsch - Undergraduate student in PSC
Teena Watty - Undergraduate student in PSC