Dr. Traci Levy, the political science newest professor, didn't always want to be a political scientist. Levy was born and raised near Baltimore, Maryland, and went to Loyola College for her undergraduate. After having a great economics teacher in high school, she intended to get in that field. In spring of her freshman year, she took a political theory course because of a friends suggestion and within a few weeks, she was hooked. Levy changed her major to political science and knew she had found what she was looking for in her academic life.

Levy's new major really opened up her eyes. She took her studies seriously and expanded her critical thinking skills. Also, Levy was involved in Amnesty international and even studied abroad in France in her junior year. In 1992, she graduated from Loyola with her Bachelor's in political Science and a minor in French.

Levy knew throughout her undergraduate career that she wanted to pursue her undergraduate career that she wanted to pursue a Ph. D. For two years after Loyola, however, she worked in Washington DC in order to pay off her school debts, while continuing her involvement with Amnesty and even meeting her husband there. In 1994, Notre dame offered her a presidential Scholarship to pursue a doctorate, which she received in 2002.

Levy specializes in contemporary political theory, feminist theory, political rights and responsibilities, and "care theory." Her dissertation involved the interrelationship between family and politics. Coincidentally, during her eight years of doctoral study, Levy and her husband had a son - not only for research purposes, of course!

After receiving her doctorate, Levy became a post-doctoral teaching fellow in the honors College at the University of Houston. A year later, levy was looking for a smaller, close-knit campus on the east Coast. This led her to adelphi. Levy's interests closely matched up with needs of the political science department, which pleased her.

Levy teaches a variety of political science courses, including those on feminist, family, and historical political theory. She also likes to teach politics and literature, as she believes it makes students more "careful readers." Levy integrates novels and films into her courses in order to give students a more implicit understanding of political theory. Levy loves Adelphi's campus and really enjoys interacting with the "friendly and interesting" students. She's been keeping busy, as she is involved in reviving the women's studies minor. Also, Levy has taken on the role of adviser to the political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha. In her limited spare time, Levy loves yoga, is a tea aficionado, and her favorite ice cream topping is a "definitely" caramel.

Levy hopes to grow as a teacher and scholar while at adelphi. She would advise students to "throw themselves into their studies," discuss their coursework with friends and professors, and join at least one club or organization. Levy made some of her best friends and had so much fun while involved in clubs and organizations in college. And, of course, she hopes to impart to her students that a basic understanding of political theory is essential to becoming engaged and thoughtful citizens.