History & Political Science Faculty

Areas of Expertise

presidential and political history; history of Indiana and the Midwest, American history (1865-present); African American history

Background

Serves as the director of the UIndy Civic Archives, which holds key materials regarding the maturation of modern Indianapolis. Author of The Door of Hope: Republican Presidents and the First Southern Strategy (1877-1933 University Press of Florida, 2011). Member of various professional historical organizations. An expert on the presidency, Dr. Frantz has given interviews for radio, TV, and newspapers that have appeared in local, national and international publications.

Research Interests

modern Indianapolis, presidential history, race and politics, midwestern history

Education

• PhD, History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• MA, History, University of Wisconsin-Madison
• BA, History, Princeton University

Fun fact

I appeared in UIndy's inaugural "Personal Attention Unleashed" commercial.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The ability to collaborate with students, colleagues and community members.

Areas of Expertise

History of Irish America, 19th-century Politics, Immigration, Ethnicity 

Background

Dr. Billings has taught at UIndy since 2013 and is co-author of The Irish in Illinois (2021). He is currently working on a new book drawn from his dissertation, "Potent Legacies: The Transformation of Irish American Politics, 1815-1840," which received the award for Most Outstanding Dissertation in the Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, and Education at Northern Illinois University (2016-2017). He has also authored textbook entries, presented original research at conferences, and written multiple book reviews. 

Research Interests

Politics of working-class Irish Americans (19th century), Irish immigration to the Midwest

Education

• PhD, History, Northern Illinois University
• MA, History, University of Indianapolis
• BA, Art, University of Indianapolis

Fun fact

I have kissed the Blarney Stone.

Favorite thing about UIndy

Working with our wonderful students!

Areas of Expertise

Civil War and Reconstruction, the Old South, Indiana history, 19th century U.S.

Background

Past president of the Indiana Association of Historians. Has published six books, including Chaplain to the Confederacy (2000), Soldiers of Christ (2009), and The Election of 1860 Reconsidered (2013).

Research Interests

Dr. Fuller's primary research interest is 19th century America, especially the Civil War, Southern history, Indiana history, and Evangelical Protestant Christianity. His forthcoming biography of Indiana's Civil War governor is entitled, The Great War Governor: Oliver P. Morton and the Politics of the Civil War and Reconstruction.

Education

PhD, U.S. History/World History, Miami University of Ohio

Areas of Expertise

Cultural Globalization, Southeast Europe, Human Geography, Constructivism, and Content Analysis

Background

Ben has taught a variety of courses in many different academic settings over the past 14 years. His background includes traditional and nontraditional students, age ranges from 6 to 60, and didactic, online, and experiential modalities. This is Ben's seventh year at University of Indianapolis. He has a financial services background as well, and is an active volunteer for Scouting and youth sports. 

Research Interests

Socio-Cultural Development, Cultural Heritage and Tourism, Vatican foreign policy, and film.  

Education

• M.A.  International Relations, University of Indianapolis
• B.A.  English, Indiana University 

Fun Fact

I was associated with a Jeopardy answer in 2003.  

Favorite Thing About UIndy

Supporting the intellectual growth of a vibrant, growing campus & helping students unpack the world around them.

Areas of Expertise

Modern Britain and the British Empire; Modern Europe

Areas of Expertise

international organizations, international political economy, regime consequences, nuclear nonproliferation

Background

Dr. Saksena has worked on projects funded by the United States Institute of Peace and the Rockefeller Foundation on issues related to South Asian security, focusing on nuclear, dual-use and conventional weapons/technology. Her research has been published as articles in the journals International Politics, Comparative Strategy, and Asian Survey.

Research Interests

trade-related intellectual property rights; intended and unintended consequences of international organizations on societies; nuclear politics

Education

• PhD, International Relations, University of Georgia
• MPhil, American Studies, School of International Studies, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
• MA, International Studies, School of International Studies, Jawahar Lal Nehru University, New Delhi, India
• BA, Political Science (Honors), Delhi University, Delhi, India

Fun facts

I have traveled to more than 10 countries in the world.

Favorite thing about UIndy

Small classroom size and sense of community.

AREAS OF EXPERTISE

American politics, political parties, state and local government

BACKGROUND

Dr. Shufeldt previously worked at Butler University and the University of Arkansas - Little Rock. He earned his PhD in Political Science with a concentration in American Politics from the University of Notre Dame. He also earned an MSW from Saint Louis University with a focus on community organizing and policy advocacy. Prior to earning his PhD, he worked in St. Louis and Missouri politics for several years.

His research has been published in State Politics & Policy Quarterly, American Politics Research, Party Politics, Journal of Elections, Public Opinion & Parties, Electoral Studies, Publius: The Journal of Federalism, and other journals.

RESEARCH INTERESTS

political parties, party polarization, state and local government, political inequality

EDUCATION

• PhD, Political Science, University of Notre Dame, 2014
• MA, Political Science, University of Notre Dame, 2011
• MSW, Saint Louis University, 2005
• BSSW, Saint Louis University, 2004

FUN FACT

I love musical theatre and have actually taught a course on Alexander Hamilton.

FAVORITE THING ABOUT UINDY

How welcoming everyone has been!

Areas of Expertise

modern Europe, naval and military, strategy and policy

Background

Dr. Sondhaus has authored 13 books, most recently German Submarine Warfare in World War I: The Onset of Total War at Sea (Rowman & Littlefield, 2017), The Great War at Sea: A Naval History of World War I (Cambridge, 2014), World War I: The Global Revolution (Cambridge, 2011), and Strategic Culture and Ways of War (Routledge, 2006). Four of his books have been translated into other languages, appearing in German, Italian, Slovenian, Portuguese, Korean, and Chinese editions. Other publications include 12 journal articles, in periodicals such as the Journal of Military History, International History Review, and Central European History

Education

• PhD, History, University of Virginia
• MA, History, University of Virginia
• BA, History and Philosophy, Elon University

Fun fact

I am UIndy's Faculty Athletics Representative and a voting delegate at the annual NCAA convention.

Areas of Expertise

comparative politics, political development, South Asia

Background

Dr. Thakar's interests are in the areas of democratization and comparative politics, particularly in the region of South Asia. He has published articles in journals such as Asian Survey, India Review and Strategic Analysis.

Research Interests

democratic consolidation; political parties in South Asia; government-business relations; national identity formation

Education

• PhD, Political Science, University of Georgia, 2001
• MPhil, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India 1992
• MA, International Studies, School of International Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India, 1990
• BA Honors (Economics), University of Delhi, India, 1988

Fun fact

I can name and date the reign of every British monarch since 1066.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The ability to teach travel courses leading students to Britain and India.

Areas of Expertise

American politics, public administration, state and local government

Background

Dr. Wilson has presented her research on the gender and race gap in campaign finance in state legislative races at the annual American Political Science Association conference as well as a number of regional conferences. Her work has been published in the Race, Gender & Class journal and the eJournal of Education Policy.

Research Interests

state and local government, campaigns and elections, gender and race politics, state regulation, taxation and public budgeting

Education

• PhD, Political Science, University of Alabama
• MA, Women's Studies, University of Alabama
• MPA, Public Administration, University of Alabama
• MA, American Politics, Ohio University
• AB, Theatre, Ohio University

Fun fact

My sister is a proud UIndy alumna!

Favorite thing about UIndy

The people and the collegiality!

Areas of Expertise

international conflict, research methodology

Background

Author of books Nationalism and International Relations: Norms, Foreign Policy, and Enmity and forthcoming (Dec 2013) Research Foundations and Process: How We Know What We Know. Also authored articles published by the World Bank and International Relations Quarterly. Dr. Woodwell is also a former lecturer at the Yale Center for International and Area Studies.

Education

• PhD, Political Science, Yale University
• MA, German and European Studies, Georgetown University
• BA, International Studies, American University

Fun fact

I'm trying hard to teach myself guitar.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The people, of course!

Research interests

Early Modern European history, social history

Professional Activities

Dr. Meigs has published the book The Reformations in Ireland: Tradition and Confessionalism, 1400-1690 (St. Martin's Press, 1997), as well as articles in The Early Modern Ireland Bulletin and Sixteenth Century Journal. She is currently working on a book on the Reverend Robert Kirk.

Areas of Expertise

Ancient Roman history, Medieval history, Early Modern history, Latin American history

Background

Dr. James B. Williams has presented at numerous international conferences, written encyclopedia entries, and reviewed textbooks. He has also published two pieces, "The Tennessee Civil War Centennial Commission: Looking to the Past as Tennessee Plans for the Future" in Tennessee Historical Quarterly (2008) and "Working for Reform: Acedia and the Transformation of Working Culture in Carolingian Monasticism" in the new book Sin in Medieval and Early Modern Culture(2012). He is currently at work on his first book drawn from his dissertation, "The Adoptive Son of God, the Pregnant Virgin, and the Fortification of the True Faith: Heterodoxy, the Cult of the Virgin Mary, and Benedict of Aniane in the Carolingian Age," which received a Distinguished Dissertation Award from the Purdue University College of Liberal Arts in 2010.

Research Interests

Early Medieval History, Pre-Modern Religious History, Carolingian Culture

Education

• PhD, Purdue University
• MStud, Oxford University
• BA, College of William and Mary

Fun fact

I'm just a hillbilly from East Tennessee.

Favorite thing about UIndy

The sense of community.