Michelle D. Deardorff

Michelle D. Deardorff is a Professor at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC), holding the Adolph S. Ochs Professor of Government title. She served as Head of the Department of Political Science and Public Service from 2013 to 2024. A scholar of constitutional and statutory protections for gender and race, Deardorff’s work bridges political theory, legal analysis, and civic engagement.

Research Interests: Deardorff’s scholarship focuses on equality under the law, intersectionality, and pedagogical innovation. Her recent book Race and the Law in the United States: A Contemporary Perspective (2025) explores racial equality, while her co-authored American Democracy Now (2025) emphasizes civic participation. Her research integrates Ernest Boyer’s fourfold model of scholarship: discovery, integration, application, and teaching.

Scientific Awards:

• UTC Chancellor’s Medal of Excellence (2022)
• Fulbright Senior Specialist (2019)
• Griswold Distinguished Professor at Millikin University

Service and Leadership: Deardorff has held leadership roles in the American Political Science Association (APSA), including Vice President and Chair of the Political Science Education section. She co-chaired the APSA Presidential Taskforce on Rethinking Political Science Education (2019–2024) and served on editorial boards for College Teaching, The Journal of Political Science Education, and PS: Political Science & Politics.

Teaching: Deardorff teaches courses such as Introduction to Political Science, American Constitutional Law, and Black Political Thought, aligning her pedagogy with her mission to foster democratic participation and equality.