Cameron Arnzen
PhD, Politics & Education
I explore how education influences political behavior and shapes democracy.
My interest in the politics of education broadly includes the study of education governance, political socialization in education, and public opinion and education. My dissertation employs various quantitative methods to explore how educational experiences and schools shape political participation, while my other work explores the public's role in education governance.
I currently teach graduate courses on American politics, education policy, federalism, and public policy at Teachers College. Before pursuing my doctorate, I served in a variety of roles at The College of Idaho, including as an instructor and an academic advisor. I have also worked with IdahoEdNews.org, a public awareness service that spotlights public education in Idaho, my home state.
Growing up in rural Idaho, education played a critical role in helping me find a place in my community and my state. Much of my interest in studying the politics of education comes from a belief that schools and education shape ideas of citizenship and democratic participation.
My Ph.D. is in Politics & Education from Teachers College, Columbia University. I also hold an M.A. in Political Science from Duke University and a B.A. in Political Economy from The College of Idaho.
Areas of Expertise:
Politics of Education, Education Policy, American Politics, Public Policy, and Political Behavior
Teaching (Instructor)
Teachers College, Columbia University
American Politics & Education (GR)
Politics of Centralization & Decentralization (GR)
Politics & Public Policy (GR)
The College of Idaho
First Year Seminar on American Political Ideologies & Argumentation (UG)
Governance, Policy, & Politics in Education (UG)
Barnard College
Elelctions & Political Behavior (UG)
Empirical Methods in Political Science (UG)
Introduction to American Politics (UG)
Scholarship
Peer Reviewed Publications
Arnzen, C., Brezicha, K., Childs, J., Germain, E., Horsford, S., Jenkins, D.A., & LoBue, A. (Eds.). 2023. “The Future of Democratic Education in an Era of Pandemics and Political Polarization.” Peabody Journal of Education.
Arnzen, Cameron & David Houston. 2023. “Who Should Control Education Now? Revisiting Preferences for Local Control of Educational Decision-making.” Peabody Journal of Education.
Arnzen, C.; Falabella, L., Jackson, J., Foster Shoaf, N., & Victor, K. 2023. “Rethinking the Political Science Major: Recruitment, Retention, and Careers.” Political Science Today.
Ongoing Projects
"Understanding How Education, School Type, and Gender Influence Political Participation: Evidence from Massachusetts." with Sarah Cohodes. (Working Paper)
"Navigating the Administrative Burdens of Voting: The Role of Education" (Working Paper)
"Beyond Educational Attainment: Education Policy Predictors of Youth Turnout" (Working Paper)
Service & Involvement
American Political Science Association
Civic Engagement Section Awards Committee
Teaching & Learning Conference
American Education Research Association
Politics & Education Association Publications Committee 2021-2022
Guest Editor, Peabody Journal of Education Special Issue on Politics & Education (Forthcoming 2023)
Teachers College, Columbia University
Vice President, Teachers College Senate 2020-23
Vice Chair, Columbia University Ph.D. Council 2020-22
Vice Chair, Columbia University Rural Education & Healthcare Coalition 2020-2022
Dissertation Defense & Committee
Dissertation Title: "Education for Democracy: Essays Exploring the Relationship Between Education and Voting"
Panel on Doctoral Student Success
Teachers College, Columbia University
