Building Foundations

Dr. Liliokanaio Peaslee, professor of political science, never thought she’d be a full-time university professor. Having served with AmeriCorps and worked at a small nonprofit fighting hunger, she imagined pursuing policy and advocacy work. She discovered, however, that at JMU she could bring her service ethic to the classroom and remain connected to the community by teaching students about applied research and policy analysis.

Fifteen years later, Peaslee was awarded the 2023 Carl Harter Distinguished Teacher Award, recognizing her exemplary commitment to teaching and to her students. She also received JMU’s Alger Family Faculty Award in 2018, which recognized her achievements in community engagement. Compassion and flexibility animate her teaching, and her dedication to her students and community shines both in and out of the classroom.

For Emily Wilcox, a former student, “Dr. Peaslee transformed the way I viewed the world and more importantly, how I viewed myself. She empowered me to not only be the best student I could be, but also encouraged me to follow my dreams.”

Peaslee teaches a range of undergraduate and graduate classes, from policy analysis to electives on social welfare and education policy. Student responses suggest her enthusiasm for the subjects inspires them: “Every year,” she says, “I receive notes from students about how I got them excited about policy or policy analysis, or how meaningful the courses have been, and that individual impact is what keeps me motivated in the classroom.”

Each semester, Peaslee’s students collaborate with community partners, researching policy, writing grants and more. “Students work best when they can see the value ... beyond the classroom,” she says, so Peaslee creates opportunities for them to apply their learned knowledge and skills to have a visible impact. Whether writing successful grant applications to bring resources into the community or presenting senior capstone projects to state delegates, her students see their work in practice.

JMU is just one stop on a student’s path. “It’s important in any major to realize that our students may not end up finding a career in the major, and being able to provide classes that equip them with skills they can apply across jobs [is] ideal,” Peaslee continues. “The skillset is what’s really necessary.” Peaslee invests time in teaching her students a variety of skills, such as using evidence-based research to improve programs and policy, to establish a reliable foundation.

“Dr. Peaslee’s dedication to my personal growth as a student is unmatched,” says Allison Edwards (‘21). “Her commitment and enthusiasm awarded me an educational foundation that prepared me for success.”