Here at Fairmont State University, we have a wonderful host of highly qualified professors who are here to assist students with their academic and personal journeys. These professors, in their time teaching classes and working with students, rarely get the chance to talk about their subject research and experience that has shaped their academic careers. Over the 2nd half of the Fall 2024 semester, COLUMNS student reporter Quinn Arzt will be interviewing professors around campus and providing them the opportunity to share their stories and advice with the students.
Dr. William Harrison, an Associate Professor of Political Science from the Department of Social Science Fairmont State University, is a highly intelligent and personable professor who is dedicated to making sure his students do their best in both their academic, professional, and individual lives. He grew up in New York City, earning his bachelor’s degree in political science at New York University in 1995, but he has loved West Virginia since he earned his master’s degree and PhD in Political Science at West Virginia University in 2010 and 2012 respectively. Additionally, he received his second master’s degree in international relations from the United States International University in San Diego in 2002. Currently, Dr. Harrison is presenting his research on the issues in western democracy and how the western world needs to improve the system before influencing developing democracies in an online presentation in Pakistan. His past research has included “Group Identity in Politics” and his favorite research project, studying the Senate Bump. On campus, Dr, Harrison is invested in student organizations and the Fairmont State University community. He serves as one of the Faculty Advisors for student government and the assistant model UN, as well as associating with other organizations around campus, and has served in the past as the VP on faculty senate.
Dr. Harrison believes that politics affects everyone in practically every aspect of their lives, therefore political science is for everyone. With the current state of the American and international political systems, the value of political awareness and understanding of current events that the field of political science provides is more important than ever. When asked about his opinion of modern politics, Dr. Harrison says, “The state of the world makes me sad”. Unsurprisingly, one of the biggest hot button topics in the political science world right now is the 2024 United States Election. The 2024 election is extremely important internationally and domestically, and Dr. Harrison encourages everyone, student and staff alike, to vote in an informed way. Investigate the policies and opinions of all the relevant parties, the Green Party and the Libertarian Party are worth looking into, and make sure to do your due diligence. Political science is the best way to stay up to date with current events and cut through the misinformation that runs rampant throughout the modern era.
When Dr. Harrison became a professor, he modeled himself after the professors he admired throughout his undergraduate and graduate career. Some of these influences include Dr. Mohamed Yakan from the United States International University and Dr. Robert Duval from West Virginia University. For those who want to become a professor themselves, Dr. Harrison encourages you to treat your students with dignity and respect. It is a big job to mold the minds of the future, so do the best you can and put your heart into it. Dr. Harrison’s office is 128A in Hardway Hall – he usually has food and water available for visitors, as you must properly take care of your body before you can enhance your mind, and he is always happy for students to stop by and say hi! Dr. Harrison, as well as any other Political Science or National Security Intelligence professor, are happy to talk to anyone who is interested in learning more about the fields, no matter the student’s major.
Gabrielle // Oct 25, 2024 at 1:55 pm
Dr. Harrison. I still and always will be very proud of you.