Dr. Lisa Parshall, a professor of political science, has been promoted to the rank of Distinguished Professor at Daemen University, the highest professorial rank awarded to faculty.
“As Daemen’s newest and currently only Distinguished Professor, Dr. Parshall is an excellent role model for our community,” said President Gary A. Olson. “Her scholarship, teaching, and record of service are exemplary. Her work has had a major influence in the field of Political Science.”
Established in 2016, the Distinguished Professor rank honors faculty members who have achieved distinction in their scholarly discipline and service to the college and society. Dr. Parshall is only the second person in Daemen’s history to be promoted to the rank.
For the last 23 years, Parshall has taught in Daemen’s History and Political Science Department. She was promoted to Full Professor in 2018. During that time, Dr. Parshall has held the positions of President and Vice President for the Faculty Senate and has served on various university committees. She is currently on the 2023 Middle State steering committee, where she also chairs the Working Group VII on Governance.
Beyond Daemen, Parshall is a member of the Northeastern Association of Pre-Law Advisors. She was one of five faculty selected as an inaugural Richard P. Nathan Public Policy Fellow at the Rockefeller Institute of Government and was the recipient of a grant from the Howard J. Samuels Center for State and City Policy to fund research on local government reform. Dr. Parshall has also been a member of various local and statewide political science associations.
An accomplished author, she has published five books and six law review articles, as well as a number of policy reports and journal articles. Her work has also been cited in several publications.
In his nominating letter, Dr. Michael Brogan, the executive vice president of academic affairs and provost, wrote, “Professor Lisa Parshall’s application, accomplishments, and commitment to our curriculum and university are extraordinary in every manner and area including scholarship, teaching, and service. Both the committee and I enthusiastically support and recommend, for
your consideration, Professor Parshall for promotion to this distinguished and prestigious rank.”
“I am honored to have been selected for the rank of distinguished professor,” Dr. Parshall added. “This recognition is all the more meaningful given the esteem I have for my colleagues on the selection committee. I am indebted to many people who provided mentorship or opened doors of opportunity along each stage of the academic journey. I am, of course, especially grateful to President Olson and Provost Brogan for cultivating a culture of academic excellence through their example and leadership and for all of the institutional support.”
She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse and both a master’s and doctorate degree in political science from the University at Buffalo.
Dr. Parshall’s appointment will begin at the start of the new academic year in September.