Joel Hensley

Joel Hensley is an Instructor of Political Science at James Madison University, specializing in U.S. Government courses. He holds a Bachelor's degree from JMU and a Master of Public Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University (2019). His professional background includes roles in the Virginia House of Delegates, U.S. House of Representatives, and as a small business owner. He currently serves on the Rockingham County Board of Supervisors. Notably, he authored a political biography, Richard Obenshain: A Spirit of Fire (2019), focusing on the life and legacy of the influential Virginia politician Richard Obenshain.

Research interests center on U.S. governmental structures, political history, and public administration, informed by his legislative experience and academic training. While no formal awards are listed, his work bridges academic and practical governance insights. Advising and grant details are not specified in available records. He is affiliated with JMU's Political Science Department but no dedicated labs or teams are mentioned.