January 2026 News
Several Academy Students Selected to Present Original Research
Monday, January 5, 2026
Six Academy students have been selected to present research at the Midwest Political Science Association (MPSA) Conference this April. Congratulations to Seniors Keegan Brogdon, Neela Cormier-Marri, John Eenigenburg, Rori Haley, Jack Roberts, and lone junior, Shashu Sabapathy, on this incredible accomplishment.
Primarily reserved for established scholars, practitioners, early career professionals and graduate students, MPSA is a national, nonpartisan organization devoted to the study of teaching, and research in political science by primarily publishing journals like the American Journal of Political Science (AJPS), and hosting a large annual conference in Chicago every year since 1939. “I was a trembling 2nd year graduate student the first time I had research accepted to propose at MPSA,” remarks Dr. Joel Olufowote, Director of Academic Affairs. “For several of our students to have accepted proposals at this point of their academic journey is simply remarkable and provides another positive data point on how, as an institution, we leverage the power of original research to distinguish ourselves from the traditional high school experience.”
Keegan Brogdon’s research explores the role of religion, specifically Catholicism, in the overturn of Roe v. Wade.
Neela Cormier-Marri’s research focuses on factors that promote institutional development through the Unified Growth Perspective.
John Eenigenberg’s first research proposal focuses on political satire and political participation and a second proposal focuses on Supreme Court legitimacy and judicial authority.
Rori Haley’s research takes a case-study approach to the understanding of modern colonialism.
Jack Roberts’s research explores how political polarization in the United States has increased since the death of Charlie Kirk.
Shashu Sabapathy’s research offers preliminary insight into how prominent social media platforms dissuade and/or perpetuate political tension between ideological values.
While at the conference, Dr. Olufowote will serve as Chair of the “African Politics” session and Discussant on the “Research on Teaching & Learning” session.