I became interested in politics when I was in 7th grade and began reading TIME magazine. The next year I moved to Brazil and became even more interested in politics. I moved back to the US to finish high school and go on to College. While I was in College I realized that I was more interested in studying politics than in practicing it, so I went to graduate school to become a teacher. I have taught at Simpson since if finished my PhD. I like to tell people that in a three person department, it takes two people to teach American politics, and I take ALL the rest of the world! I love teaching comparative politics because each region of the world offers a different political dynamic on which to focus. I also teach some courses in minority politics and international relations. Outside of class, I have wife and four kids. We love to travel and we try to play golf.