Jody Baumgartner

Starting in fall 2022 the department offers accelerated degree options, which allow students to transition from their bachelor’s degree to a master’s degree. There programs have 3 goals: streamline the transition of high-performing undergraduate students into their graduate degree; expedite completion of their master’s degrees; and increase enrollments.

Qualified students will be allowed to take up to 12 hours of graduate class work while they are completing their undergraduate degrees. The credits will count toward both degrees. Options include (1) accelerated BA or BS in Political Science-to-Master of Public Administration OR (2) accelerated BA or BS in Multidisciplinary Studies: Security Studies-to-Master of Science in Security Studies.

The Master of Public Administration program was reaccredited by the Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs, and Administration (NASPAA) in summer 2022. The lengthy process included an alumni survey, 3 focus groups, a 900+-page self-study, a 90-page response to the review of the self-study, a 3-day site visit by NASPAA representatives (who met with administrators, faculty, students, alumni, staff, and the MPA Advisory Board), a 20-page response to the site visit team’s (SVT) final report, 6 faculty retreats, and over 40 faculty meetings.

We were all devastated this year at the passing of Dr. Nancy Spalding (PhD, SUNY-Binghamton). She started working at ECU in 1987. She studied as a Fulbright Scholar in Africa and taught about and researched political theory, international relations, African politics, and genocide. During her time here, she served as an Associate Dean of Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences and as the Political Science Undergraduate Program Director. She is survived by her daughter Stephanie, son-in-law Grayson, and grandchildren Annabelle, Isaac, and Abbigail – in addition to the faculty, staff, and students of the Department, who miss her dearly.

Dr. Jason Pudlo (PhD, University of Oklahoma) started working with us in August 2022. His research areas include public administration, emergency management, multi-method research, and the role of faith-based organizations in emergency response to natural disasters. He will teach classes in public administration, research methods, and security studies, with a focus on homeland security and emergency management.

We are very excited to have our three impressive new arrivals become part of our faculty. They will expand our capacity to teach classes in many different programs. Please join us in welcoming them.

Dr. Jason Pudlo (PhD, University of Oklahoma) started working with us in August 2022. His research areas include public administration, emergency management, multi-method research, and the role of faith-based organizations in emergency response to natural disasters. He will teach classes in public administration, research methods, and security studies, with a focus on homeland security and emergency management.

We are very excited to have our three impressive new arrivals become part of our faculty. They will expand our capacity to teach classes in many different programs. Please join us in welcoming them.

Dr. Austin Matthews (PhD, Louisiana State University) joined the department in August 2022. His areas of research interest include comparative politics, authoritarian governments and Eastern Europe. He will teach classes for the department in comparative politics, international relations, and security studies, with a focus on international security.

Merry Christmas, Happy NY, and see you on Jan. 2.

The department has been grateful for the continued support we have received from Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences (THCAS) and ECU in the form of faculty positions. In spite of recent hiring restrictions and freezes, we have been allowed to hire 3 new faculty members in the past 2 years.

Dr. Hanna Kassab (PhD, University of Miami) taught for the department in the fields of security studies and international relations from 2018-2021 in a fixed-term position. He has been well-liked by students and the other faculty and has a strong research record. He started a new tenure-track position in the department in spring 2022.

Dr. Carmine Scavo (PhD, University of Michigan) retired in May 2020 after a long and productive career here. He started working in the department in August 1985. He was a member of the Master of Public Administration faculty and served as its Program Director from 2015 until his retirement in 2020.

Department of Political Science, 2022 Year in Review, Part I

The department is extremely proud of Mrs. Heather Bateman, our Lead Administrator, who is a fall 2022 graduate of ECU! Mrs. Bateman has earned a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Distribution and Logistics and is graduating Magna Cum Laude! She has already started taking classes toward her Master’s degree in Technology Management. Congratulations, Heather!