Marsha E. Barrett

Marsha E. Barrett is an Assistant Professor in the Department of History at the University of Illinois, affiliated with the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Her research focuses on 20th-century U.S. political and social history, particularly examining how public sentiment, racial dynamics, and social movements have shaped modern politics, policy, and political culture since 1945. She holds a PhD from Rutgers University and a BA from Yale University.

Her recent book, Nelson Rockefeller's Dilemma: The Fight to Save Moderate Republicanism, explores the decline of moderate Republicanism through the lens of Nelson Rockefeller's political career. She has received notable awards including the 2019 LEAP Scholar designation and a 2019 ACLS Fellowship.

Barrett teaches courses such as HIST 172 (U.S. History Since 1877), HIST 287 (African-American Women), and HIST 488 (The American Political Divide). Her research has been supported by grants from institutions including the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Foundation and the Rockefeller Archive Center.