Building community leaders and citizen scholars guide my teaching philosophy. I am a strong believer in the pedagogical benefits of community-engaged learning, which instill reciprocity, leadership, communication and team-building skills by investing in long-term partnerships with communities of interest. I strive to help my students improve their critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as invest in learning through shared experiences and reflective work. These efforts are featured in my paper titled "Making National Voter Registration Day A Course Assignment." (Civic Engagement Spotlight, PS: Political Science & Politics).
Civic Engagement Grants/Awards:
Op-Eds/Interviews/Talks on Civic Engagement in the Classroom:
Civic Engagement Grants/Awards:
- Scholars Strategy Network, Building Trust in Elections Grant (May 2022 - $17,300).
- Mississippi State University, Center for Civically Engaged Learning, CCEL Fellow Mentor (May 2022 - $500).
- Brandeis University, Educational Network for Active Civic transformation (ENACT), Faculty Fellowship (June 2021 - $1,000).
- Scholars Strategy Network/Students Learn Students Vote, Mississippi Student Voter Summit (March 2020 - 6,300).
- Mississippi State University, Center for Community Engaged Learning, CCEL Fellow (May 2018 - $1,000).
- University of South Florida, St. Petersburg, Center for Civic Engagement, Civic Engagement Grant (Spring 2017 - $1,000).
- University of Florida, Bob Graham Center for Public Service, Civic Challenge Award (May 2013 - $500).
Op-Eds/Interviews/Talks on Civic Engagement in the Classroom:
- "Sponsored: Political science department celebrates National Voter Registration Day," The Reflector, September 20, 2022.
- "Building Civic Capacity From the Ground: Voter Registration on College Campuses," Forbes, November 4, 2019.
- MSState Engaged with Lia Merivaki Interview, August 2019.
- "Mississippi State is All-In: A Community-Engaged Learning Approach to Student Civic Engagement," Urban Affairs Forum, October 24, 2018.