Alison G. Keleher, Ph.D. - Curriculum Vitae

Education:

• University of California, Santa Barbara, Ph.D. in Political Science, 2005.
• University of California, Santa Barbara, C.Phil, in Political Science, 1998.
• University of California, Santa Barbara, M.A. in Political Science, 1997.
• California State University, Fullerton, M.A. in Political Science, 1990.  
• Arizona State University, B.A. in Political Science, 1988.
   

Dissertation:

“Stealing the Show or Sharing the Load: Interest Groups and Political Parties in Congressional Elections”

Traditional models of political parties and interest groups explain two separate institutions displaying different types of organizational behavior.  As interest groups become increasingly involved in political campaigns, our traditional conceptions of the roles of parties and interest groups may be changing.  This dissertation examines the role of interest group campaigning in congressional elections from a longitudinal perspective, focusing on the period just prior to the establishment of the Federal Election Campaign Act, through 1998.  Using content analysis of newspaper reports of group campaigning, and analysis of  Federal Election Commission campaign reports, the dissertation explains the role of non-candidate group campaigning, and the implications this campaigning has for the future of  political parties and democratic accountability in American politics. 

Dissertation Committee:

Eric R.A.N. Smith, Chair; M. Stephen Weatherford; and Bruce Bimber.
 

Publications, Papers, and Presentations:

• "Explaining the Growing Support for Gay and Lesbian Equality Since 1990", ​Journal of Homosexuality.  59:1307-1327. 2012. 
•   Encyclopedia of U.S. Political History, s.v. “The Republican Party” (1946-1975), 2010.  CQ Press.
• Encyclopedia of U.S. Political History, s.v. “Third Parties” (1946-1975) 2010. CQ Press.
•  "Explaining the Growing Support for Gay and Lesbian Equality Since 1990" Paper presented at the 2008 Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Boston, MA.
• “Leaving No Straight Person Behind: Outreach to the Wider GOP by the Log Cabin Republicans” Paper presented at the 2008 Meeting of the Western Political Science Association, San Diego, CA.
• “Log Cabin Republicans and Other Party Clubs: Amateur Democrats or Interest Group Apprentices?”  Paper presented at the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association, Las Vegas, NV.
• “The Phantom Menace? Independent Campaigning by Interest Groups in Congressional Elections.”  Paper presented at the 2005 Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association, Oakland, CA.
• Review of  Choosing our Choices: Debating the Presidential Nominating Process, by Robert E. DiClerico and James W. Davis, White House Studies, Vol. 1., number 4, 2002.

• “Stealing the Show: Organized Interests and Independent Campaigns in Congressional Elections,” paper presented at the 1999 Annual Meeting of the American Political Science Association, Atlanta, GA                     
• “Sharing the Load: Political Party and Interest Group Cooperation in Congressional Elections,” presented at the 1998 Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association, Los Angeles, CA.
• “Political Parties, Interest Groups, and Soft Money: Does the Money Flow Both Ways?” presented at the 1996 Annual Meeting of the Western Political Science Association, San Francisco, CA.
   

Teaching Experience:

• California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, CA; Instructor – Winter 2003 to present. Courses taught: the American Presidency, American and California Government, Politics in Popular Culture, Jurisprudence, Campaigns and Elections, Political Inquiry, Political Analysis, Judicial Process.    
• Chapman College, Santa Maria Valley Campus; Instructor – Constitutional Rights, Fall 2008.                                                                   
• Alan Hancock College, Santa Maria, CA; Instructor – Introduction to American Government, Fall 2004, Fall 2003, (College-level course taught to advanced high school students).
• Ventura Community College, Ventura, CA; Instructor – Spring 2002 to  Fall 2005. Courses: Introduction to American and California Government.

• Oxnard Community College, Oxnard, CA; Instructor – Introduction to American and California Government, Fall 2001.
• University of California, Santa Barbara, Instructor – Introduction to Law and Society, Summer 2000.
• University of California, Santa Barbara, Teaching Assistant – American Law,Introduction to Law and Society, the American Presidency; Congress; Introduction to American Politics, Jurisprudence; Law and the Modern State; Constitutional Law.
• University of California, Washington Center, Teaching Assistant – Independent Studies in Political Science, Winter 1997, Summer 1997
• California State University, Fullerton, Graduate Assistant       
   

Grants:

• Michael C. Palm Center Grant research grant, 2008.
• University of California, Santa Barbara travel grant, 2000.
   

Prepared to Teach the Following Courses:

• American Politics, i.e., introduction to American government, the presidency, California government, congressional study, political parties, interest groups, voting, campaigns and elections, research methodology.
• American Public Law, i.e., constitutional law, judicial process, administrative law, jurisprudence, law and society.
   

University and Community Service:

• Panelist, Radio West (National Public Radio) discussing the Republican Party and LGBT politics, May 4, 2010.
• “Ally”, Cal Poly Pride Center Ally Program – ongoing.
• Reader/evaluator for Cal Poly’s quarterly Writing Proficiency Exam – ongoing.
• Advisor – Cal Poly, SLO chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha honor society, 2007-2008.
• Co-Advisor - Cal Poly, SLO Undergraduate Law Association, 2005-2007.
• Panelist “Religion and Politics” – Cal Poly SLO  Changing the Status Quo
• Conference, San Luis Obispo, CA  February 26, 2005.
• Guest on KSBY TV discussing election results, November, 5, 2004.
• Orientation panel leader (PREFACE program), California State Polytechnic University; 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008.
• Committee member, Ventura College Staff Development Cmte., 2002/3.
• Commencement Speaker, University of California, Santa Barbara Graduate Division commencement ceremony, June 17, 2001.
• Guest on Santa Barbara radio station KEYT, “Voice of Santa Barbara” program, speaking on campaign finance reform, March 27^th, 2001.
• “Teaching Assistants at UCSB,” Dean’s Orientation Panel, University of California, Santa Barbara Orientation Program, July 26, 1999.
• Treasurer, University of California, Santa Barbara – Graduate Students Association, 2000-2001.
• President, University of California, Santa Barbara - Political Science Graduate Students Association, 1999-2000.