The Department of Political Science at UC Riverside is proud to announce that Professor Jennifer Merolla has been elected President-Elect of the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA), one of the largest and most respected professional associations in the discipline. This is a significant and well-deserved recognition of Professor Merolla’s outstanding contributions to political science as a scholar, educator, and leader in the field.

Professor Merolla is widely known for her influential research in American politics, political psychology, public opinion, and political behavior. Her work has deepened our understanding of how citizens respond to threats, how political elites shape attitudes, and how gender, identity, and representation interact in democratic systems. She is the co-author of several award-winning books and numerous peer-reviewed articles that have shaped key debates in the discipline.

At UC Riverside, Professor Merolla is not only a leading researcher but also a dedicated mentor and teacher. She has trained and inspired generations of undergraduate and graduate students, and her leadership in departmental and university initiatives has been instrumental in advancing equity and excellence in political science education.

Her selection as President-Elect of MPSA reflects the high regard in which she is held by colleagues across the profession. In this role, she will help guide the association’s mission of promoting the professional development of political scientists and advancing rigorous scholarship through one of the largest annual conferences in the field.

You can view the full list of MPSA Council members and officers here.

Please join us in congratulating Professor Merolla on this exceptional achievement and thanking her for her continued service to the discipline and to our department.