Welcome! I'm a PhD Candidate in Political Science studying Women & Politics and American Politics at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. In Fall 2026, I will be an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political and Global Affairs at Middle Tennessee State University.
My research interests span multiple areas of American politics, including gender, race, and politics, campaigning and elections, public opinion, political behavior and psychology, money in politics, and political representation. My dissertation is broadly focused on the relationship between gender and race, public opinion, and campaign strategy. Specifically, I examine whether and how candidate race and gender interact with perceptions about campaign fundraising to inform candidate evaluations and the implications these perceptions have for women's financial campaign strategies.
When I am not working on my dissertation or teaching, you can usually find me exploring new hiking trails, reading books (I've been on a thriller kick lately), taking a pilates class, or going on long walks with my two dogs, Bear and Dolly.
Let's connect!: sjk240@polisci.rutgers.edu