Susan Grogan, professor of political science, is the recipient of St. Mary’s College of Maryland’s Andy Kozak Faculty Contribution to Student Life Award. She was honored during the college’s 2015 Awards Convocation held April 24.
Susan Grogan has taught political science at St. Mary’s College since 1983. Her teaching interests include most aspects of American politics, in particular those areas related to law and courts as well as elections and public participation, including political polls. Grogan’s research interests reinforce her teaching areas; she has written on American and Canadian Indian justice systems, the United States Supreme Court and, most recently, on the use of web writing in the political science classroom.
An important addition to Grogan’s teaching and research interests has been her founding of the “We Just Want Stephen Colbert To Come To Our College SuperPAC” (www.wejustwantstephencolberttocometoourcollegesuperpac.org) and the “M Poll” (www.mpoll.org). The websites for these organizations include content created by students from Grogan’s classes.
At St. Mary’s College, Grogan has served in a variety of administrative positions. She has been department chair and a member of the Faculty Senate. She was also the first associate provost (now dean) for Faculty Affairs. Currently Grogan focuses her non-teaching activities on those related to student needs. She is the advisor of St. Mary’s College’s chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society. She is also the chief faculty pre-law advisor and sponsors the student organization PLAN, the Pre-Law Advisory Network. Linking course, co-curricular, and extra-curricular interests, Grogan serves, as well, as the advisor of St. Mary’s Votes.
The Andy Kozak Faculty Contribution to Student Life Award was established in 2011 by Donald R. Stabile, economics professor, associate dean for academic services and professor of the college, to honor his colleague, the late Andy Kozak. The award recognizes faculty members who are active participants in the student life of the college.