University of Connecticut |Evelyn M. Simien
Evelyn M. Simien is a native of Lake Charles, LA. She graduated cum laude from Xavier University of Louisiana with a B.A. in political science. She received both her M.A. and Ph.D. from the Department of Political Science at Purdue University. A nationally recognized teacher, she was awarded the 2006 Anna Julia Cooper Teacher of the Year Award from the National Conference of Black Political Scientists (NCOBPS). She teaches courses on black leadership and civil rights, black feminist theory and politics, as well as African American Politics. Her first book, Black Feminist Voices in Politics (State University of New York Press, 2006), charts a course for black women’s studies in political science. Examining the simultaneous effects of race and gender on political behavior, Dr. Simien uses a national telephone survey sample of the adult African American population to discover the extent to which African American men and women support black feminist tenets. Other publications have appeared in the Journal of Black Studies, Frontiers: A Journal of Women’s Studies, PS: Political Science and Politics, Political Science Quarterly, Politics and Gender, Social Science Quarterly, as well as Women and Politics. Currently working on a second book project, which utilizes an intersectional approach to study the modern civil rights movement, Dr. Simien exposes the bias of traditional civil rights history by examining different movement experiences determined by race, class, gender, and sexual dynamics. A much sought after lecturer, Dr. Simien has delivered guest lectures at American University, Louisiana State University, Loyola University of New Orleans, Texas A&M University, Minnesota State University, and the University of Mississippi. Professor Simien also works closely with the Urban League of Greater Hartford, serving as Vice President for its Young Professionals.