A Newsletter for UMW Faculty and Staff
Professor of Journalism Sushma Subramanian
Associate Professor of Journalism Sushma Subramanian authored an article in The Boston Globe titled “The downside of dopamine decor.” In the piece, she reflects on how the constant urge to perfect her recently renovated home left her feeling unsettled, noting, “We had gut remodeled our house, and there was still no good place to put our vacuum cleaner.” Read the full article: Dopamine decor
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science Stephen Farnsworth, who also serves as director of the University’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, will moderate the public political debate for Virginia’s 65th District House of Delegates on Thursday, Oct. 2, at 7 p.m. where incumbent Joshua Cole (D) will face off against Sean Steinway (R) in George Washington Hall’s Dodd Auditorium.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
John Reid’s pitch for civility follows years as a ‘combative conservative’ (Virginia Dogwood)
Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington, said as a radio host Reid was a “combative conservative” and a “vigorous cultural warrior.” Farnsworth added that it’s not unusual for candidates to moderate their rhetoric to appeal to a broader electorate after a primary battle. “Talk radio is an appealing environment for conservative messaging,” Farnsworth said in an interview. “But running for office in purple Virginia may require a narrative that is less focused on the hardcore conservatives who make up much of the talk radio audience.” Read more in Virginia Dogwood.
Republican State Senator Bryce Reeves to Challenge Mark Warner (WRIC, WFXR-TV)
“If you look at his previous congressional campaigns, he offers up a Republican message that is very focused on the issues of law and order,” Professor Stephen Farnsworth, Director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, told 8News. Read more in WRIC.
Government Shutdown Mass Layoff Fears Virginia Governor Race (MSN, Washington Examiner, USSA News)
“People are already anxious about the economic situation. The shutdown makes it much worse,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in MSN.
Election 2025: Earle-Sears vs Spanberger race guarantees history (Virginia Business)
Even without Trump’s policies disproportionately impacting Virginians, Earle-Sears would be at a disadvantage running for governor with a Republican in the White House, says Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Four years ago, some observers chalked up Democratic former Gov. Terry McAuliffe’s 2021 loss to Republican Glenn Youngkin in part due to Democratic President Joe Biden’s unpopularity. “Virginians tend to show anger against whoever is in the White House,” Farnsworth says. “The key challenge with the Earle-Sears campaign is dealing with the headwinds from the Trump administration.” Read more in Virginia Business.
Republican State Senator Bryce Reeves to challenge Mark Warner for U.S. Senate seat (WRIC; WAVY; MSN; The Free Lance-Star)
“If you look at his previous congressional campaigns, he offers up a Republican message that is very focused on the issues of law and order,” Professor Stephen Farnsworth, Director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies, told 8News. Read more in MSN.
Sen. Bryce Reeves jumps into U.S. Senate race against Warner (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“There may be more Republicans getting into the race, which is still unclear a year out,” said Steve Farnsworth, director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
Trump’s UN speech crafted for his supporters: Political analyst (CTV News)
“Well, this is very much the red meat narrative that President Trump uses to connect with his base,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more in CTV News.
Child safety, fake news a linchpin in final campaign strategies
(Brunswick Times- Gazette)
“The reality is that there is a growing incentive to put out false information if you can do so without facing consequences,” said Stephen Farnsworth, director of the University of Mary Washington’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. “Rewarded behavior is repeated behavior.” Read more in Brunswick Times- Gazette.
Democrats hope to extend map, pick off more GOP House seats (Richmond Times-Dispatch)
“When a party has a lot of money it can put funds into races that are a reach,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
‘Nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest’ as early voting opens Sept. 19 (Henrico Citizen; RVA Hub; Newsbreak)
Stephen Farnsworth, Ph.D. is a professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Farnsworth stated in an email that many national policies “significantly” impact the Virginia economy, such as with the cutbacks of federal workers. “The nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest as a leading political indicator of the upcoming midterm elections,” Farnsworth stated. Read more in Newsbreak.
First Colbert, now Kimmel: How Trump puts political pressure on comedians (Tagesschau radio, Germany)
“President Trump is the biggest target of late-night comedy in the history of this format,” said Stephen Farnsworth, professor of political science at the University of Mary Washington and co-author of the book, “Late Night in Washington: Political Humor and the American Presidency.” Hear more on Tagesschau Radio.
‘Nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest’ as early voting opens Sept. 19 (Henrico Citizen)
Stephen Farnsworth, Ph.D. is a professor and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington. Farnsworth stated in an email that many national policies “significantly” impact the Virginia economy, such as with the cutbacks of federal workers. “The nation looks to the Virginia governor’s contest as a leading political indicator of the upcoming midterm elections,” Farnsworth stated. Read more in Henrico Citizen.
State Historic Marker
Professor of History and American Studies, Krystyn Moon
Professor of History and American Studies Krystyn Moon offered special remarks at the unveiling of a state historic marker dedicated to Alexandria’s Colored Rosemont neighborhood.
Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris
Executive Director of University Museums Scott Harris provided an informative take on the historic legacy of Stafford County for FOX 5 in a segment called “In Your Hometown.”
In the piece, Harris highlights George Washington’s legacy in Stafford County and the many historic attractions located there. He also provides information on UMW’s Museums: Gari Melchers Home and Studio and the James Monroe Museum. View the full segment.
Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Melissa Jones
Dean of Students and Associate Vice President of Student Affairs Melissa Jones served as the keynote facilitator for ACPA’s first Master’s Student Conference last week. ACPA: College Student Educators International is a professional association that supports individuals pursuing higher education in student affairs.
The recent virtual conference featured a panel that offered attendees insights on growing their careers after earning a master’s degree. Jones joined four other professionals from across the country to speak with graduate students about various career paths, including navigating different areas of student affairs or pursuing opportunities beyond the field altogether.
Academic Deans Keith Mellinger (College of Arts and Sciences), Pete Kelly (College of Education), and Filiz Tabak (College of Business) at WFVA
Three academic deans — Keith Mellinger (College of Arts and Sciences), Pete Kelly (College of Education), and Filiz Tabak (College of Business) — appeared on News Talk 1230 WFVA’s Town Talk to discuss new majors, academic programs, and strategic initiatives taking shape across campus.
President Troy D. Paino
President Troy D. Paino was listed as one of Northern Virginia’s 50 Most Influential People of 2025 by Northern Virginia Magazine. The list includes leaders in business and development, education, government, health care, philanthropy, and more that have made an impact in the last year on where Northern Virginians live and work, where they go for entertainment, and how they spend their time.
The editorial team evaluated criteria including achievements, cultural significance, peer recommendations and community involvement. Paino was named among other impactful leaders, including U.S. Senators Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Governor of Virginia Glenn Youngkin, George Mason University President Gregory Washington, Marymount President Irma Becerra, Philanthropists Dwight and Martha Shar, and even Washington Commanders Quarterback Jayden Daniels.
President Paino’s nearly decade-long tenure was noted, along with UMW’s increase in retention rates. The feature also noted UMW’s top 20 national ranking for internships and making an impact in The Princeton Review and its top 10 national ranking of public liberal arts and sciences colleges in U.S. News and World Report. Read the full article.
Music Professor and Chair Brooks Kuykendall
Music Professor Brooks Kuykendall, currently in the second year of a Waple Professorship, has seen some of the fruits of his research emerging in the last few weeks: his article on fandom in the 1920s and 30s in the Gilbert & Sullivan Society (a preliminary version of which was presented for UMW’s Social Research Colloquium) has appeared in Transformative Works and Cultures; and, together with Benedict Taylor of the University of Edinburgh, he curated the “Gilbert and Sullivan” module for the Victorian Literature unit of Oxford Bibliographies.
His larger, ongoing Waple project involves a new assessment of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas in generic terms, not operetta or proto-musical, but more rooted in continental operatic traditions. He will heads to London and Bristol in November for further research.
Front page of the “Gilbert & Sullivan” Oxford Bibliography
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth
Professor of Political Science and International Affairs and Director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies Stephen Farnsworth was quoted in a Washington Post article titled “Virginia governor’s race hits high gear as referendum on Trump.”
“The dynamics of the campaign are so different for each candidate that it makes sense they’d pursue very different themes,” said Farnsworth in the article. Read more in The Washington Post.
Other media mentions for Farnsworth include:
UMW hosts Oct. 2 debate between Cole, Steinway (The Free Lance-Star)
The University of Mary Washington will host a political debate between the two candidates for the 65th District seat in the Virginia House of Delegates at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2. As he’s done in years past, moderator Stephen Farnsworth will do his utmost to maintain a civil and cordial atmosphere. He’s a professor of political science and serves as director of UMW’s Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Read more in The Free Lance-Star.
Ahead of November elections, Democrats stress-test affordability message (National Journal)
“The deeper into the weeds you get in an energy conversation, the more you’re going to lose voters,” University of Mary Washington political scientist Stephen Farnsworth said. “The key issue is affordability right now. Long-term energy plans are not likely to be a pivotal question to voters.” Read more in the National Journal.
ELECTION 2025: Balance of power in Va. House could be decided in Prince William (Prince William Times)
This year, polls suggest Abigail Spanberger, the Democratic nominee for governor, has the political winds in her sails, powered by discontent over President Donald Trump’s federal job cuts and other economic challenges, said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington and director of its Center for Leadership and Media Studies. Read more in the Prince William Times.
Dem. James Walkinshaw wins US House special election in Virginia, Associated Press projects (WUSA 9)
“This outcome demonstrates that, at least for the 11th congressional district of Virginia, all politics are national,” said Stephen Farnsworth. Read more in WUSA 9.
Bellwether Virginia governor race enters post-Labor Day stretch (MSN; Washington Examiner)
Part of the problem Earle-Sears is facing is “the challenge of running as a Republican in a state that has been significantly impacted by President Trump’s federal cutbacks,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political science professor at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in MSN; Washington Examiner.
Voters choose new Virginia congressman Tuesday in special election (WTOP; Network Today)
“There’s an old saying that all politics is local, but I really think that what you’re considering in the 11th district of Virginia is all politics is national,” said Stephen Farnsworth, a political scientist at the University of Mary Washington. Read more in WTOP; Network Today.
Special election on Tuesday to determine who replaces Rep. Gerry Connolly’s seat (WUSA 9)
“Special elections are known for a low turnout,” said Dr. Stephen Farnsworth of the University of Mary Washington. “One thing you can look for in this is to what extent does northern Virginia’s anger over Trump’s policies generate higher turnout.” Read more in WUSA 9.
Virginia nursing homes challenge Youngkin veto in court (Richmond Free Press)
Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth predicted at the time of the veto back-and-forth in the spring that the dispute “could end up in the courts like just about everything else these days.” Read more in the Richmond Free Press.
Nursing homes, health care associations sue Youngkin over vetoed nursing home bill (Virginia Mercury)
Political analyst Stephen Farnsworth predicted at the time of the veto back-and-forth this spring that the dispute “could end up in the courts like just about everything else these days.” Read more in Virginia Mercury.
Associate Professor of Marketing Kashef Majid
Associate Professor of Business Kashef Majid was featured by WalletHub in a feature titled “Capital One Savor Cash Rewards Credit Card.”