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Spring 2023 Newsletter

May 1, 2023

Spring 2023 Newsletter

Profile

Many exciting changes are taking place this year in the department. Our study abroad programs returned and welcomed a new cohort of students. Our undergraduate classes, both face to face and online, have filled quickly, showing the interest students have in learning about the critical issues confronting societies today. We also renovated office space in McClung Tower, secured new donations to the department that support graduate research, and brought three UT alumni back to campus to speak with current students about their own personal career paths.
Political science additionally welcomed three new faculty members to the department this past fall, which created excitement and energy inside and outside of the classroom. Xuhong Su, whose research focuses on corruption and accountability in public institutions, came to UT from the University of South Carolina and will be taking over administration of the Masters of Public Policy and Administration program. Stephanie Pierce brings a decade worth of experience working in public policy to the department and our students. Her research on housing policy is important as cities confront the challenges of sheltering the homeless. Finally, Kelly Morrison brings expertise in international law and human rights to our program; two critical areas of research that are in demand by graduate students. These three scholars expand our course offerings, introduce new ideas to students, and bring expertise to help solve public policy problems.