Dr. Jessica Gracey

Associate Professor of Political Science

Chair, School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Education

• Ph.D. Political Science, University of Missouri – St. Louis
• M.A. Political Science, University of Missouri – St. Louis
• B.A. Political Science, Truman State University

Courses Taught

• 34102 Introduction to American Government & Politics
• 34301 Elections, Parties, & Interest Groups
• 34321 American Federalism

Academic Interest

• Political Behavior & Elections
• LGBTQ+ Politics

Scholarly Activity

Publications

• 2020. “Demographics of Misogyny.” in Misogyny and Media in the Age of Trump, Lexington Books.
• 2020. “Gender Issues in the Military.” in Examining War and Conflict around the World, ABC-CLIO.
• 2020. “LGBT Office Holders at the Federal Level.” in LGBT Americans in the U.S. Political System, ABC-CLIO.
• 2017. With Kimberly L. Casey. “Broken, Cracked, and Missed Ceilings: Minority and Female Candidates in the Congressional Races of 2016.” in The Roads to Congress 2016: American Elections in a Divided Landscape, Palgrave Macmillan.
• 2016. “Implementing Marriage: The Issuance of Marriage Licenses in Missouri after Obergefell.” Missouri Policy Journal 4:11-15.

Selected Conference Presentations

• “Analyzing Media Coverage in 2020 as a Learning Tool.” Presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the Great Plains Political Science Association, virtual.
• “The Effect of Locus of Control on Voter’s Perspectives on Trump’s 2020 Loss.” Presented at the 2024 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, Illinois.
• “Analyzing Media Coverage in 2020 as a Learning Tool.” Presented at the 2020 Annual Meeting of the Great Plains Political Science Association, virtual.
• “Political Anger and Social Media.” Presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Great Plains Political Science Association, Maryville, Missouri.
• “Does the Truth Matter? How Fact Checking Impacts Electoral Outcomes and Voters’ Choices.” Presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, Illinois.
• “The Impact of Fact Checking on Electoral Outcomes.” Presented at the 2018 Annual Meeting of the Great Plains Political Science Association, Maryville, Missouri.
• “What’s in a Name? The Use of Names by Presidential Candidates.” Presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Great Plains Political Science Association, Maryville, Missouri.
• “The Effect of Campaign Expenditures on Social Issue Ballot Measure Campaigns.” Presented at the 2017 Annual Meeting of the Midwest Political Science Association, Chicago, Illinois.

Student Group Advisement

• NW Leftist Coalition
• Sigma Society

Other Professional Experiences

• Secretary, Midwest Political Science Association Department Chair Caucus, 2025-2026
• Executive Board, Great Plains Political Science Association, 2016-2021
• Editorial Board, Missouri Policy Journal, 2016-present