Steve Clements ’83, Ph.D.
Dean, College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences
Professor of Political Science
Department Chair
Departments: Social Science & History, Ancient & Modern Languages
Office: Morrison Hall 303
Phone Extension: 2338
Contact Steve ClementsBiographical Information
Dr. Stephen Clements joined the faculty as associate professor of political science in 2008. In addition to being lead instructor in political science, he has served as chair of the Department of Business, Economics, and Political Science (2008-2013), chair of the Department of Social Science and History (2014-present), and since 2010 he has also served as Dean of the College of Arts & Sciences. Prior to his appointment at Asbury, he had spent seven of the previous ten years on the faculty at the University of Kentucky, in the Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation. During an interlude from early 2003 until early 2006, he helped manage a federal teacher quality enhancement grant for the Education Professional Standards board in Frankfort, Kentucky. At the time of his departure from UK he was Director of the Institute for Educational Research, and also directed an EdD program in community and technical college leadership.
Education
- Ph.D. in political science, University of Chicago (1998)
- M.A. in political science, University of Chicago (1991)
- B.A. in history, Asbury College (1983)
Courses offered:
- American Politics and Government (PS 101)
- State and Local Politics (PS 201)
- Politics and Public Policy (PS 305)
- Presidential Power and Leadership (PS 303)
- Comparative Politics (PS 301)
- International Relations (PS 302)
- American Foreign Policy (PS 307)
- Political Science Capstone Course (PS 393 Seminar)
Selected/Recent Publications:
Clements, Stephen K. (2013). “Irrelevance Is Not an Option: Higher Education and the American Socio-economic System.” In The Relevance of Higher Education: Exploring a Contested Notion, Timothy L. Simpson, ed. (New York: Lexington Books).
Clements, Stephen K. (2009). “Faith and the Framing of Governments.” In Cornerstones of Spiritual Vitality, Jon S. Kulaga and J. Paul Vincent, eds. Wilmore, KY: Asbury College.
Clements, Stephen K. (2007). “Rural Kentucky Districts: ‘Do-It-Yourself’ School Improvement.” In No Remedy Left Behind, Frederick Hess and Chester E. Finn, Jr., eds. Washington, DC: American Enterprise Institute Press.
Presentations:
Clements, S. (April 2014). “Education Accountability Regimes and School Reform: A Generation of School Improvement Politics in Kentucky.” Presentation at Midwestern Political Science Association Conference, Chicago, Illinois. April 3, 2014.
Clements, S. (April 2012). “The Dangers of Irrelevance: Social Responsibility and the Dilemmas of Academia in Modern America.” Presentation at a conference on Higher Education in an Era of Relevance: How relevant should colleges and universities be to society? April 27-28, 2012, Morehead State University, Morehead, Kentucky.
Current research/scholarship:
Dr. Clements at present is reviewing the growing body of literature on polarization in contemporary American politics, and the extent to which that might reflect actual ideological differentiation among voters around key social and budgetary problems. This work should eventuate in one or more publications about consensus, contestation, and pragmatism in our governmental system, especially as these affect religiously affiliated groups. He is also anticipating a summer project about the fate of the liberal arts in the American marketplace of ideas and the landscape of higher education.
Other:
Deans Panelist, Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium, Academic Leadership Academy, May 2014.
Member, Shakertown Roundtable, 2000.
Affiliations:
Midwest Political Science Association
Adjunct Graduate Faculty Member, University of Kentucky, Department of Educational Policy Studies and Evaluation
Kentucky Education Researchers Roundtable
Wilmore Community Development Board
Board Member, East-West Church and Ministry Report