Scott J. Spitzer, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor
Department of Politics, Administration & Justice

Teaching interests: American Political Development; the U.S. Presidency; American Politics; Media and Politics; Race and Ethnicity in American Politics

Research interests: Professor Spitzer’s research addresses the role of race in American political development. His work focuses on the U.S. presidency, federal welfare policymaking, and racial politics. He is currently revising a manuscript for publication: Responding to Race: The Great Society, Welfare Reform, and America’s Failure to Win a War on Poverty.

Brief biography: I received my Ph.D. in political science with distinction from Columbia University in 2000. Before joining the faculty at Cal State Fullerton, I was an Assistant Professor at Seton Hall University in New Jersey; and then at Chapman University. Prior to completing my Ph.D., I worked closely with the former Mayor of NYC - David N. Dinkins - as his Teaching Assistant, and held a number of positions in nonprofit organizations, including a stint as a Research Associate at the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse (CASA) at Columbia Univeristy.