Kevan Yenerall, PhD

Kevan M. Yenerall, Ph.D., is professor of political science at Pennsylvania Western University, teaching courses in American politics (the presidency, parties and electoral behavior), popular culture (film and television), and civic engagement. He is faculty liaison for The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars (twc.edu) at the Clarion campus, and is founding director of the Joseph and Mary Ellen Yenerall Politics & Public Service Scholarship, which honors his beloved grandparents by investing in the experiential education of Pennsylvania students at academic seminars and internships in the nation’s capital.

Dr. Yenerall is the author of "Pennsylvania: A New Bellwether?" in Luke Perry, ed., The 2020 Presidential Election: Key Issues and Regional Strategies (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022); coauthor of Seeing the Bigger Picture: American and International Politics in Film and Popular Culture, 2nd edition (Peter Lang, 2012); and has authored chapters, essays, and articles in peer-reviewed publications, as well as over 50 professional papers and presentations at academic conferences.

For over a decade, Dr. Yenerall served as the founding chair of the Popular Culture & Politics section of Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA), and was a faculty leader in AP American Government & congressional debate with the Junior State of America Foundation. He continues to serve as a board member with the Academic Seminars Advisory Group at The Washington Center.

In the realm of public service, government relations and public policy, he has served as a legislative delegate, state executive council member, public relations chair, and government relations intern with the Association of Pennsylvania State College & University Faculties (APSCUF); legislative intern with the Pennsylvania House of Representatives; research associate with the Center for Public Management & Regional Affairs (Miami University); and an elected delegate to a national party convention.

Committed to fostering political literacy and civic engagement through experiential education, Dr. Yenerall has facilitated student participation at seven national party conventions, a presidential inauguration, and seven Inside Washington academic seminars.

Political analysis and commentary: the Economist, Reuters, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Pittsburgh Tribune Review, Dallas Morning News, CBS Radio, Pennsylvania Cable Network, PBS NewsHour, NewsNation, Erie News Now, The Briefing with Steve Scully (POTUS Politics/SiriusXM), Agence-France Presse, De Groene Amsterdammer, Fox News, and PennWest POV, among others.

A native of western Pennsylvania, Dr. Yenerall earned his B.A. in English & political science at Duquesne University, and M.A. and Ph.D. in political science at Miami University.