Daniel DiLeo received his Bachelor of Arts degree and his Ph.D. in political science from Temple University in Philadelphia. He teaches courses in American government and political philosophy. His research interests include the agendas and rhetoric of the governors of the American states, education policy in the American states and the political implications of religious doctrines.

Pamela Blackmon, assistant professor of political
science, earned her doctorate from the University of
Miami. Her research interests include international
relations and international economics. She has
published articles in "International Studies Review," "Central Asian Survey," and "Women's Studies" while also contributing a
chapter on market liberalization policies in Kazakhstan
and Uzbekistan to "The Politics of Transition in
Central Asia and the Caucasus" (Routledge, 2009). Her first book "In the Shadow of Russia: Reform in Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan" is forthcoming with Michigan State University Press.

Nicholas Pyeatt, assistant professor of political science, earned his doctorate from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In his dissertation, entitled “Ideology and Candidate Emergence: Entrants Against Congressional Incumbents,” he explores the direct and conditional effects of ideology on candidate behavior. His research interests include U.S. congressional nominations, candidate entry behavior, congressional behavior and representation, Canadian and European elections, race and representation, and macro politics.

Thomas Shaffer received his bachelor of arts degree in economics from Ripon College and his master of arts degree in political science from Indiana University at Bloomington. Currently a doctoral candidate at Indiana, his research concerns the politcs of state-level child welfare reform in the United States. Mr. Shaffer has taught courses in introductory American politics, public policy formation, urban politics, and law, politics and the family. At Penn State Altoona, he regularly teaches introduction to American national government while serving as the College's internship coordinator.

L.A. Wilson, II received his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Oregon and has held tenured appointments at Arizona State University, University of Alaska, and Penn State Altoona where he is the assistant dean for research and sponsored programs. His areas of specialty include public policy, public choice theory, research methods, and statistics.