Hoffman Named PACE Co-Director

SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Adam Hoffman, assistant professor of political science at Salisbury University, has been appointed co-director of SU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE). 

“Adam combines a theoretical knowledge of state and local governments along with a practical understanding of how politics really works. That makes him a perfect fit for teaching our students how to become good citizens,” said Dr. Fran Kane, PACE co-founder and co-director. 

Hoffman joined the Political Science Department in 2008 after teaching at Gettysburg College, PA. He earned his B.A. in political science and history from SUNY Buffalo (1988), his M.A. in political science from the University of New Mexico (1993), a J.D. from Albany Law School (1992) and his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Maryland College Park (2005).

Hoffman said he was initially attracted to SU due to the opportunity to become involved with PACE: “One of my goals in teaching political science is to show students how to access politics and to connect politics to various aspects of their lives. I am thrilled to join PACE and to help continue their fine work in enhancing and empowering the political lives of students as well as the entire Salisbury community.”

Hoffman’s teaching interests include American politics, campaigns and elections, race and politics, public opinion, research methodology, and state and local government. His dissertation, “The Impact of Campaign Contributions on State Legislators,” looks at the role that money plays in affecting legislative outputs at the state level. He is co-author, with James G. Gimpel and Karen M. Kaufmann of the article “A Promise Fulfilled? Open Primaries and Representation,” which was published in the Journal of Politics in May 2003.

At the University of Maryland, Hoffman coordinated the Capitol Hill Internship Program. He has worked in the Maryland and New York state legislatures and in Washington, D.C., as a policy analyst for both a private sector policy institute and a large nonprofit organization.

At PACE, Hoffman succeeds Dr. Creston Long, who is stepping down as co-director to become the director of graduate studies in the History Department.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.