LU Students Selected to Present Research at the Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference 2024

Lionel Harris, the Lincoln University Chicago alumni chapter president, welcomes students Nia Walker and Jackson Black to the shores of Lake Michigan.

Lincoln University of Missouri recently showcased the academic expertise of its political science program as it sent two undergraduate students, Nia Walker and Jackson Black, to the 81st Annual Midwest Political Science Association Conference in Chicago, April 4 to 7, 2024. The conference historically boasts over 5,000 attendees from every state in the U.S. and over 100 countries worldwide, representing more than 90 political interest areas. 

Participating in the conference is an important opportunity for students to learn where they fit in a broader institutional environment. This opportunity not only underscores the University's commitment to nurturing scholarly excellence but also highlights these students' dedication to engaging with and contributing to political discussions at a national level.

At the conference, Walker presented her research on “Charisma and the American Presidency.” According to Dr. Brian Norris, associate professor of political science at LU, Walker’s inquiry asked an important theoretical question about presidential charisma, as she sought to establish a correlation between charismatic leadership and presidential approval and effectiveness ratings.

“I’m really impressed to see how much Nia has improved in this, her third MPSA conference,” Norris said. Elizabeth Dorssom, assistant professor of political science, guided Nia in her research.

Black brought his research on a significant legal case titled "Mr. Perry vs. the United States," which scrutinized a dilemma facing the US Supreme Court. The case dealt with the contentious issue of whether the federal government was justified in reimbursing Mr. Perry, a bondholder, with depreciated currency, a decade after his initial investment.

“Jackson's research showed a genuine curiosity about the relationship between government and private property. I was impressed to see Jackson’s understanding of the complexities of this theoretical issue develop throughout his research and presentation,” Norris said.

Attending conferences such as this one allows LU students to exchange ideas, build connections, and collect insights from perspectives.

Walker and Black engaged in a dialogue with two esteemed senior scholars at the Midwest Political Science Association's annual conference. The focus of their discussion centered on the contentious issue of whether electoral systems should prioritize the overrepresentation of rural areas and explored the challenges and implications inherent in electoral design.

Walker and Black engaged in conversations with fellow attendees and covered a diverse range of topics, from current political affairs to academic pursuits.

Over a shared meal, Walker and Black met with Manuel Soque, an esteemed Angolan scholar from Wittenberg University in Ohio.