SPEA Excellence
Sheila Suess Kennedy, J.D.
Associate Professor of Public and Environmental Affairs
Open minded. Intellectually curious. Shares concern for the world.
When asked to offer her opinion of what makes the ideal student, SPEA Associate Professor Sheila Suess Kennedy pauses only a moment before answering with three characteristics. In reality, these may be some of the same traits responsible for Kennedy's own record of achievement as an attorney, respected political advocate, accomplished researcher — and in recent years, one of SPEA's most popular faculty members.
"The students who gain the most from an education here are the ones who are genuinely interested in the well being and future of the community," says Kennedy. "Whether politically, socially or through involvement in non-profit or charitable endeavors, our students want to make a difference in the world."
A fan of what she refers to as "robust interaction" in the classroom, Kennedy, former executive director of the Indiana Civil Liberties Union and a one-time Republican candidate for U.S. Congress, frequently draws upon current news-making events and her own personal experiences to frame class discussions. Although Kennedy is never one to presume students will agree with her or each other on important issues, she does expect them to support their opinions with reasonable arguments.
"Interaction enriches the classroom experience, so I encourage students to speak up when they have a viewpoint to share," says Kennedy, who teaches both undergraduate and graduate-level courses such as Law and Public Policy, Community and the Constitution, Sin and Crime, and Mass Media and Public Affairs. "I believe it's important for students to understand enough about the law and public policy to know why people — whether they be classmates or politicians — take the positions they do."
After years working in the state's innermost circles of public policy, Kennedy viewed the opportunity to join the SPEA faculty eight years ago as a chance to do more of the things she truly enjoys — among them teaching, writing and research. Underscoring her expertise in the issues of charitable choice, poverty policy, civil liberties, and religion and public policy, Kennedy has authored or co-authored six books and numerous book chapters and journal articles while at SPEA. Her latest book, the highly anticipated "God and Country: America in Red and Blue," is scheduled for release in August 2007. In addition to her academic contributions, Kennedy also writes a regular public affairs column for "The Indianapolis Star."