Sherri L. Wallace APSA Nominee Biography

Career and Accomplishments

Sherri L. Wallace, an Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science at the University of Louisville (UofL) has been attending American Political Science Association (APSA) Annual Meetings for nearly twenty-years beginning as an undergraduate scholar in the Ralph Bunche Summer Institute.  As a graduate student, she received recognition as an APSA Minority Graduate Fellow, earning both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Government from Cornell University under the mentorship of her dissertation chair, Theodore J. Lowi.

Her research examines issues pertaining to African American politics, faith-based organizations, and urban politics.  She has published book chapters in edited volumes and articles in a variety of scholarly journals such as: Urban Affairs Review, Economic Development Quarterly, the Review of Black Political Economy, the Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship, the Journal of Community Development Society, the Journal of African American Studies, and PS: Political Science.  Her teaching includes: African American Politics, American Government, State Government, Urban Politics and Public Policy. 

Professionally, she has served as a member and co-chair of the APSA Standing Committee on the Status of Blacks in the Profession. She has served as member of the APSA Teaching and Learning Conference program committee, serving as Program Chair for 2008. Additionally, she has served on the program committee and as section chair for Western Political Science Association, as section chair for the Midwest Political Science Association, and on the Executive Council of the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS).  At UofL, she serves on various college/departmental committees, and is active in the community as a member/volunteer on local boards, committees, and organizations.

Statement of Views

“From a curious Ralph Bunche Summer Institute scholar to a conscientious tenured colleague, this profession has nurtured and shaped my ideals about democracy and education.  My work (which uses qualitative investigations and understanding of political institutions to foster effective change in groups, organizations and communities) has a decidedly political mission – to foster responsibility, respect, and commitment to social justice. As political scientists, we face the daunting challenge, yet wonderful opportunity to inspire and mentor generations of students as well as each other to become engaged, influential scholars, practitioners, elected officials, public servants and more. My goal is always to articulate and encourage diversity and inclusiveness through an education that remedies and transforms our discipline within and outside the classroom to respond to needs of a global society, and impact the spirit of the academy.”