Richard Johnson, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
Arts & Sciences
Political Science
Biography
Dr. Richard Johnson serves as Professor of Political Science. He graduated from the University of Illinois, Springfield with a B.A. in Political Studies (1985) and an M.A. in Political Studies from the same institution in 1987. He completed his education with a doctoral degree from Arizona State University in 1995 with an emphasis on American and Comparative Politics. He has taught at ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ since 1997; previously he was on staff at Northwestern ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ State University. His research interests include the role of money and politics, political leadership, and legislative behavior. Dr. Johnson teaches most of the core American government courses such as the Campaign Seminar, Legislative Behavior, and State and Local Government as well as courses related to Southeast Asia and Comparative Politics. Dr. Johnson has been recognized as an excellent teacher, including an award from the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Political Science Association as its βTeacher of the Year Awardβ in 1994.
Currently Dr. Johnson serves as the sponsor for Pi Sigma Alpha. He remains active in local politics within the Democratic party, holds numerous positions within the ΒιΆΉ΄«Γ½ Political Science Association, is a member of the American Association of University Professors, and is also active in his church.