Greetings - and thanks for inquiring about me!  My name is Kenneth Strickland and I'm in my fourth year as an Adjunct Professor of Political Science at SPC, teaching exclusively online the past two years.  This Fall marks my 10th year of college teaching.

I was born and raised in Dallas, TX, and earned a BA in Political Science and BA in Sociology from Texas Tech University in 2002, completing my studies in three-years.  I earned an MA in Political Science from The Ohio State University in 2004, and completed all of the necessary coursework for the Ph.D. with a focus on political psychology, public opinion, and survey research methods.   I opted to leave my graduate program and relocate to Florida for my wife's career  in 2004, and taught full-time at the SPC Gibbs campus for a year.  I've also previously taught at Ohio State, Columbus State Community College, Hillsborough Community College, and Columbia Southern University. 

I currently work full-time in the market research industry, managaing large scale consumer research studies for a variety of clients.  My graduate education in political science - more specifically my training in survey research methods and opinion measurement, made me well equipped to succeed in this field.  I have extensive training in statsitical analysis procedures, and serves as my firm's Manager of Analytic Consulting. 

My wife is an immigration attorney practicing in Tampa, and we have twin sons that were born on 5/25/12.  We also have four cats and a dog and reside in St. Pete, where we enjoy fine dining, good wines, craft beer, and cooking out at home.  My wife and I both participate in Triathlons and other outdoor activities.  I'm an instrument rated private pilot, and have owned two different Cessna aircraft.  I've been flying since I was 16, but recently cut back to spend more time with my children. 

My teaching philosophy can be summed up in three words - "beyond the book."  I had the opportunity to study at one of the top rated graduate political science programs in the world, under faculty who are considered the leading experts in their areas of specialization.  There's so much more to political science than how a bill becomes a law, or who your member of Congress is.  Politics is a complicated game, with even more complicated players.  Students taking my course should leave being able to explain and predict complicated political behavior based on identification and analysis of key variables.  I approach political science as a science, and expect my students to be able to analyze in this manner as well.  If you take my class, you can expect unusual and insightful assignments, and readings from a wide variety of different sources.

I'm glad to be a part of the SPC family - a very proud school with a proud tradition of excellence.  Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions you may have about me, or my courses!