Welcome to my site! I am Professor of Political Science at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I completed my PhD in Political Science from the University of Minnesota in 2007. I am a proud graduate of Northwestern University, where I earned my BA in Psychology.

My main research agenda centers on examining why women and minorities are underrepresented at all levels of American political life. In particular, my published work has focused on stereotypes as an explanation for the lack of women and minorities in elected offices. I also address the finding that women are less likely to express political ambition compared to men. Until women, minorities, and other underrepresented groups achieve representation equal to their proportion in the population, these groups will remain without a major voice in political life in a way that is inconsistent with the ideals of democracy.

I’ve recently become intrigued by the study of disability policy, which represents a unique and incredibly understudied case in American politics: On the one hand, people with disabilities are marginalized within American politics and policy, but on the other hand, disabilities cut across American society in ways that may have particular implications for the kinds of racialized and gendered issues I have considered in my previous work. A study of public opinion towards disability assistance, the attitudes and participation of people with disabilities, and even the political identity shifts of parents of children with disabilities as new areas of research therefore represent a novel but logical way to test and extend some of ideas central to my previous work.

I’m passionate about gender and racial issues in the academy. I actively mentor faculty in my department and have created a mentoring conference for underrepresented groups in my sub-discipline.

I am the mother of two boys, one of whom was born with Down syndrome. The other was born exceptionally large at over 10 lbs. You can read what I’ve written about the joys of my sons in Gifts: 10th Anniversary Edition. In my mythical free time, I enjoy travel, biking, power-lifting, movies, running, and reading.