Bethany Blackstone is the Dean of the James Madison University Honors College and a professor of political science. She joined JMU in 2022 after serving as Associate Dean of the Honors College at the University of North Texas. As dean, she supports the Honors College team in helping students build their ideal undergraduate education by connecting them to meaningful, high-impact experiences, creating pathways for students in all majors, and fostering strong partnerships across campus. A scholar of judicial and congressional politics, her research examines the policymaking role of U.S. courts. She is also an award-winning teacher recognized nationally and by her students for excellence in the classroom. Dr. Blackstone has served as an American Political Science Association Congressional Fellow and a Texas Academic Leadership Academy Fellow.