Elizabeth Oldmixon

Elizabeth Oldmixon is a Professor of Political Science and Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs and Curriculum at James Madison University (JMU). She leads JMU’s academic policy initiatives, faculty development programs, and curriculum oversight. Previously, she served as Director of Academic Policy at the University of North Texas, where she advised on policy creation and managed the Frisco branch campus. Her research focuses on religion’s role in legislative politics, clergy political attitudes, and policy-making dynamics. Dr. Oldmixon holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of Florida.

Her research interests include the intersection of religion and legislative decision-making, religious advocacy in Congress, and the political behavior of religious elites. She has explored topics such as clergy reliance on institutional superiors, moral legislation in Congress, and the influence of religious identity on policy outcomes.

Dr. Oldmixon has received accolades as a Fulbright Scholar (University College Cork, Ireland), APSA Congressional Fellow, and Texas Academic Leadership Fellow. Her work spans academic policy innovation, pedagogical methods in political science education, and comparative analyses of religious politics in the United States and globally.

Her publications reveal a focus on legislative simulation techniques, the impact of religious institutions on policymaking, and the evaluation of academic assessment frameworks. Recent work emphasizes religious representation in animal welfare debates and LGBTQ politics. She has also contributed to curriculum development strategies and faculty governance initiatives.