Department Chair, Associate Professor
Political Science
Coordinator, Legal Studies Concentration
Political Science
Law School Advisor
Academic Affairs
Faculty Liaison to First-Year Experience
New Student Programs
Cybersecurity | BS
Office
Ebenezer D. Bassett Hall
316-07
Biography
Dr. Smith is currently the chair of the Political Science Department. She also is the Internship Coordinator for all political science students seeking internships in Connecticut or in Washington D.C.
Additionally, Dr. Smith is the law school advisor for all CCSU students and alumni. In that role, Dr. Smith advises students on the application process, best practices in resumes, personal, and supplemental essays, as well as managing the after-application phase of law school admissions.
Dr. Smith also serves as the Faculty Liaison to First-Year Programs. She works in collaboration with new student programs to design a robust and comprehensive first year program. She also serves on the Faculty Senate as the CLASS Chair Representative and on the Faculty Senate Steering Committee.
When not on campus, Dr. Smith can be found walking her rescue dog in the woods.
Education
Areas of Expertise
1. Judicial Politics
2. Constitutional Law and Jurisprudence
3. U.S. Government
4. Teaching and Learning
5. Civiv Engagement
Publications, Research & Presentations
Dr. Smith has presented at numerous political science conferences, including the Midwest Political Science Association meeting and the Political Science Teaching and Learning Conference. Additionally, she has been an invited speaker across the state of Connecticut on topics as diverse as the Freedom Rights, Privacy, and U.S. elections.
Dr. Smith's current research focuses on partisan polarization in state courts. A secondary project examines state court efficacy at the U.S. Supreme Court.
Awards & Grants
She has served as a principal researcher on two multi-year federal Help America Vote grants and has received more than eighteen grant awards in her time at CCSU, including a recent grant on law school advising and another on civic education and community engagement at CCSU.
Dr. Smith won the Excellence in Teaching Award in 2012 and has been a nominee for the Honor Roll in 2016, 2017, 2019, and 2021.
Memberships & Affiliations
American Political Science Association
Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors
Pre-Law Advisors National Council
Courses Taught
Advanced Topics in Nurse Anesthesia
Civil Liberties
Current Public Policy Issues in the U.S.
Introduction to U.S. Government
Law and Politics
State and Local Government
State Internship Seminar
U.S. Elections and Civic Engagement