Political Science Faculty
Minné 118
507.457.5404
Elissa Alzate teaches a broad range of courses in Political Theory, including the history of political thought series, American Political Thought, and Feminist Political Thought.She also teaches courses in International Relations.
Her research centers on the relationship between the individual and the community, the role of religion in politics, and civic education with a focus on the early modern period, particularly John Locke.
Education
- PhD | University of California, Davis (2010)
- MA | University of California, Davis (2006)
- BA | Florida International University (2003)
Minné 123
507.457.5009
Originally hailing from Stillwater, OK, Matthew H. Bosworth came to Winona State in 1997.
He is the author of Courts as Catalysts: State Supreme Courts and Public School Finance Equity (SUNY Press, 2001) and research articles in Publius: The Journal of Federalism and the Journal of Law and Courts.
In Fall 2019 he received a Pracademic Fellowship from the American Political Science Association to work at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in Washington, D.C. where he worked in the Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations on issues of lead in drinking water and coal ash disposal.
Most of his courses at WSU examine the intersection between law and politics, including Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties, Judicial Process and Politics, Constitutional Politics, and the First Amendment.
Education
- PhD: Political Science | University of Wisconsin-Madison (1997)
- MA | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore MD (1992)
- BA | Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD (1991)
Minné 116
507.457.5410
Jim Cottrill teaches courses in American politics, public policy, and public administration. Dr. Cottrill joined the faculty at Winona State after spending 10 years at St. Cloud State University, where he served as Department Chair and Co-Director of the SCSU Survey Research Center. He also taught courses at Santa Clara University, Foothill College, and Texas A&M University.
Dr. Cottrill has published articles on congressional politics and elections in “Polity, Election Law Journal” and “Justice System Journal,” and he has conducted dozens of survey research projects for organizations like the Minnesota Lottery, the United Way, and the North Dakota Department of Trust Lands. He has also provided expert analysis of American politics for respected news outlets across the country, including WCCO, Minnesota Public Radio, the Associated Press, and the St. Cloud Times, among many others.
Dr. Cottrill is originally from Louisville, KY, where he developed his love of basketball and grew up idolizing Muhammad Ali. He also enjoys playing music and enjoying the great outdoors with his wife and two kids.
Education
- PhD: Political Science | Texas A&M University (2004)
- BA | University of Louisville (1991)
Minné 117
507.457.5405
Dr. Darrel Downs’s teaching areas are American public policy; government environmental policy, public administration, and public service with additional research interests in natural resource management and higher education labor issues.
Downs enjoys bicycling, kayaking on the Mississippi backwaters, fly fishing in Montana, and spending time with family.
Education
- PhD: Political Science | Colorado State University (1992)
- MS: Resource Geography | Oregon State University (1985)
- BA: Political Science | Montana State University (1982)
- BS: Earth Science | Montana State University (1982)
Organizations & Affiliations
- WSU Faculty Association Past President
- MN Vote Smart Advisory Board
- Udall Scholarship Campus Representative
Minné 119
507.457.5664
Dr. Guernica received his PhD in political science from Tulane University in New Orleans, LA.
His areas of study are Authoritarianism and Democratization in Latin America (Southern Cone Countries, Colombia, and Cuba) and European politics and elections.
Currently, Dr. Guernica is working on an interactive textbook for Intro to Comparative Politics with Great River Learning.
In addition to his academic and teaching duties, Dr. Guernica is also the faculty advisor and coach of the Model United Nations club at Winona State and a member of the Faculty Senate.
Minné 115
507.457.5657
Dr. Frederick Lee’s teaching areas are American politics and political theory and research areas include political parties and public opinion.
Lee enjoys watching the Travel Channel, walking around Lake Winona, and paying bills on time.
Education
- PhD | University of Michigan (1992)
- AM | University of Michigan
- AB | University of New Orleans
Organizations & Affiliations
- Minnesota Political Science Association
- Winona County Human Rights Commission
- Chapel Hill, North Carolina Historical Society
- WSU Faculty Association
Minné 322
507.457.5633
Minné 129
507.457.5403
Minné 328
507.457.2791
Krueger Library 122A
507.457.5145