Welcome to the University of Mary Washington, a public arts and sciences institution in Fredericksburg, Va., that attracts intellectually curious undergraduate and graduate students in search of rigorous academics. The university – located midway between Richmond, Va., and Washington, D.C. – provides a rich array of academic, research, internship, leadership, and recreational opportunities that not only train students for the real world but allow them to interact closely with faculty members.

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Visit our Expert Center. University of Mary Washington is home to leading experts and thought leaders on a wide range of topics. Connect for media, speaking, professional opportunities and more.

University of Mary Washington Expert Center

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UMW's Political Science Undergraduate Program

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Political Science - UMW Undergraduate Program

UMW's Great Minds: Joshua Bailey

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Great Minds: Joshua Bailey

UMW's Mathematics Undergraduate Program

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Mathematics - UMW Undergraduate Program

An interview with two of our Orientation Leaders

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UMW - Orientation Leaders

Art for the Community - UMW

UMW: Where Great Minds Get To Work!

Doug Dolton (class of '78), Chariman and CEO of San Francisco Motor Sports, returns to UMW as the Executive-in-Residence for 2012-2013.

Executive-in-Residence 2013: Doug Dolton

Holly Schiffrin, professor of psychology at University of Mary Washington, discusses the "competitive mom phenomenon" and offers some ways to counteract its ...

UMW's Holly Schiffrin: The "Competitive Mom" Phenomenon

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Election Watch 2025: Farnsworth Breaks Down Virginia’s Political Landscape

Professor of Political Science and International Affairs

  With early voting setting new records and national politics reshaping local elections, Professor Stephen Farnsworth is helping journalists and voters make sense of the noise.

As director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Farnsworth continues to be a go-to expert across major outlets. In just the past few weeks, he’s been featured in:

	• NBC Washington  •	WAMU  •	Yahoo News  •	Richmond Times-Dispatch  •	DC News Now  •	Virginia Mercury  Farnsworth has weighed in on everything from Kamala Harris’ rising prospects to the effects of Trump’s policies on rural Virginia. Whether he’s speaking to the League of Women Voters or breaking down the numbers for DC news outlets, Farnsworth brings clarity to the chaos. 
 

For journalists covering Virginia politics and U.S. elections, Farnsworth is a key source of insight.





Click on the icon below to connect with: Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs; Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies Expertise: Virginia politics, media and messaging, U.S. elections, disinformation. 

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From Johnny Carson to Campaign Debates – Farnsworth Brings Politics to the Public

 Professor Stephen Farnsworth isn’t just analyzing politics, he’s shaping the conversation. Whether moderating congressional debates or exploring the political power of humor, he brings sharp insight and historical context to national audiences.

As a professor of political science and director of the Center for Leadership and Media Studies at the University of Mary Washington, Farnsworth recently moderated two high-profile congressional debates in Virginia’s 7th and 10th districts — both aired on C-SPAN (2024 7th District Debate; 2022 10th District Forum).
 He’s also delivered public lectures for UMW’s Great Lives series, using figures like Johnny Carson and Charlie Chaplin to trace the role of humor in shaping American political identity. Watch the full talks: Johnny Carson and Political Humor, and Charlie Chaplin. These public-facing programs reflect his broader mission: helping voters, students, and media audiences understand how politics works — and why it matters.

Click the icon below to connect with: Stephen Farnsworth, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs; Director, Center for Leadership and Media Studies.

Expertise: Political communication, presidential humor, Virginia elections, public engagement. 

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With Russia’s War in Ukraine, Aeroflot Faces Unfriendly Skies

UMW's expert on Russia has expert insight on key industries as the war rages against Ukraine

Professor

 As Russia’s resurgent global influence grows—from social media influencing to anti-Western alliances—Steven E. Harris’s expertise in modern Russian and European history has become increasingly sought-after. Harris provides expert analysis on Russia’s political economy during its war of aggression against Ukraine and how the country seeks to reshape geopolitics and achieve expansionist goals. Focusing on Russian aviation, Harris explains how Putin’s regime has adapted to Western sanctions and how Russia’s airlines and aerospace industry are evolving in an era of global economic nationalism.

Below are two important pieces authored by Harris that were posted by the Jordan Center for the Advanced Study of Russia at NYU.

This blog post reflects on the historical significance of the sudden rupture in global aviation that took place after Russia invaded Ukraine, focusing on Russia and the US in particular....   Yesterday's post addressed the new cold war in the skies, which has divided the West from Russia as a consequence of Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Sanctions against Russia’s aviation sector...   As the war between Russia and Ukraine stretches toward its third year - there are more and more angles and narratives to cover.

And if you're a journalist looking to know more or have questions for a story - experts like Steven. E. Harris are here to help.

He's available to speak with reporters - simply click on his icon now to arrange an interview today.



University of Mary Washington Expert Center

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