Ann Collins, Ph.D.

Professor of Political Science

Office: Carnegie Hall 214

Phone: (618) 537-6897

Email: avcollins@mckendree.edu

Twitter: @AnnVCollinsMcK

Education

Ph.D., Political Science, Washington University in St. Louis

M.A., Political Science, Washington University in St. Louis

M.A., American & Latin American History, Louisiana State University

B.A., International Studies, Texas State University

 

Courses Taught

American Politics

American Politics (Honors)

Art and Politics (Honors)

Campaigns and Elections

Congress

Constitutional Law

Environmental Politics

Illinoistown: A Cultural History of East St. Louis, Illinois (Honors)

Introduction to Political Science

Latin American Politics

The Media and American Politics

The Presidency

Public Policy

Race and Politics

Race and Social Policy

State and Local Government

Theatre and Politics (Honors)

University 101

 

Research Interests

American politics, collective racial violence, political history, race massacres, race riots

 

Publications

Books:

Fear, Fury, and Power: A Concise History of Race Massacres in the United States. American Ways Series. Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield Publishers (forthcoming 2026).

The Dawn Broke Hot and Somber: U.S. Race Riots of 1964. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Publishers, 2018.

All Hell Broke Loose: American Race Riots from the Progressive Era through World War II. Praeger Series on American Political Culture. Santa Barbara, CA: Praeger Publishers, 2012.

Book Chapter:

"Race Relations and the Cold War." In Red Reckoning: The Cold War and the Transformation of American Life, edited by Mark Boulton and Tobias T. Gibson, pp. 131-145. Baton Rouge, LA: Louisiana University Press, 2023.

Magazine Articles:

"U.S. Race Riots: An American Tragedy," The Magazine for McKendree, Winter 2015.

"Dr. Collins' Tips for Lobbying Elected Officials," The Magazine for McKendree, Winter 2010.

"'Last Lecture' Words of Wisdom," The Magazine for McKendree, Winter 2010.

Encyclopedia Entries:

"Red Summer and Early 20th Century Race Massacres," in Oxford Research Encyclopedia of American History. Oxford University Press, November 29, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780199329175.013.842.

"Martin Luther King Jr.'s Assassination and Its Aftermath," in American History. ABC-CLIO, 2018. https://americanhistory2.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/2148367.

"Unrest in Ferguson, Missouri: Examine," in The American Mosaic: The African American Experience. ABC-CLIO, 2014. http://africanamerican.abc-clio.com/.

"Social History of Race Riots in America," in Lynn Dumenil, ed., The Oxford Encyclopedia of American Social History. New York, NY: Oxford University Press, 2012.

"Red Summer Race Riots" in Leslie Alexander and Walter Rucker, eds., Encyclopedia of African American History. Santa Barbara, CA: ABC-CLIO, 2010.

"Beaumont (Texas) Riot of 1943," pp. 29-30, in Walter Rucker and James Upton, eds., Encyclopedia of American Race Riots. Vol. 1. Westwood, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.

"Greenwood Community (Tulsa, Oklahoma)," pp. 260-261, in Walter Rucker and James Upton, eds., Encyclopedia of American Race Riots. Vol. 1. Westwood, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.

"Knoxville (Tennessee) Riot of 1919," pp. 346-348, in Walter Rucker and James Upton, eds., Encyclopedia of American Race Riots. Vol. 1. Westwood, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.

"New Orleans (Louisiana) Riot of 1900," pp. 459-461, in Walter Rucker and James Upton, eds., Encyclopedia of American Race Riots. Vol. 2. Westwood, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.

"New York City of 1900," pp. 474-476, in Walter Rucker and James Upton, eds., Encyclopedia of American Race Riots. Vol. 2. Westwood, CT: Greenwood Press, 2006.

Book Reviews:

Flamm, Michael W. In the Heat of the Summer: The New York Riots of 1964 and the War on Crime. Philadelphia, PA: University of Pennsylvania Press, 2017, in New York History, 101, no. 2 (Winter 2020-2021): 383-385.

Frymer, Paul. Black and Blue: African Americans, the Labor Movement, and the Decline of the Democratic Party. Princeton, N.J.: Princeton University Press, 2007, in The Journal of Politics, 71 (January 2009): 353-354.

 

Article/Manuscript/Textbook Reviews

     
      American Politics Research

      SAGE Publishing/CQ Press

      University of Oklahoma Press

 

Media Interviews/Features

"The Capitol siege's echoes in history: Of race, rage and refusal to accept reality," New York Daily News, January 11, 2021.

"Discussing Events at the US Capitol," A Panel Discussion, League of Women Voters of the Houston Area, Houston Media Source, January 7, 2021.

"White violence against blacks is as American as apple pie," New York Daily News, June 5, 2020.

"McKendree students study local government," Lebanon Advertiser, February 28, 2018.

"Local educators try to personalize teachings about race riots in East St. Louis," Belleville News-Democrat, July 1, 2017.

"Someone You Should Know: O'Fallon poli-sci professor wants students to listen to each other, get involved," O'Fallon Progress, February 16, 2017.

"Featured Chapter Adviser: Ann V. Collins," Phi Eta Sigma's Forum Magazine, Winter 2015.

"Summer is no break for McKendree faculty," Belleville News-Democrat, August 24, 2015.

"Bost is impressed by McKendree intern," Belleville News-Democrat, April 22, 2015.

"How the Internet reacts when white people riot," The Daily Dot, April 8, 2015.

"People continue to be 'mad, mad, mad' says an expert who studies American race riots," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, August 22, 2014.

"In final 12th U.S. House District debate, candidates tackle defense spending, national security," Belleville News-Democrat, October 19, 2012.

"The riots in England," Let's Talk About It Radio Show, 880 AM, Miami, Florida, August 10, 2011.

"Turnout high for midterm election," Belleville News-Democrat, November 4, 2010.

"McKendree U. finds many ways to give professors a say," The Chronicle of Higher Education, July 10, 2009.

"Web Site connects city to its past," Belleville News-Democrat, May 8, 2009.

"East St. Louis is focus of academic course," St. Louis Post-Dispatch, April 23, 2009.

"Area colleges and universities ready to showcase the inauguration," Belleville News-Democrat, January 21, 2009.

"Voter turnout expected to reach record high numbers," Belleville News-Democrat, November 4, 2008.

"Two viewpoints to be heard at McKendree," St. Clair County Journal, January 20, 2008.

 

Recent Presentations

"Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion," McKendree Alumni Board, McKendree University, December 9, 2023

Syllabus Day" (with Nichole DeWall), T4E Presentation, McKendree University, August 15, 2023

"'Is This on the Test?': Preparing for Exams" (with Katie Alford, Robert Itri, Robyn Swink, and Kendra Taylor), T4E Presentation, McKendree University, August 15, 2023

"What's Up with the Midterm Elections?" (with Naya Busbea), McKendree University SJEC Conversation, McKendree University, October 26, 2022

Critical Race Theory and the Classroom" (with Melissa Barfield and Pamela Manning), McKendree University SJEC Conversation, McKendree University, September 15, 2021

"'All Hell Broke Loose': White Mob Violence in the United States," Gamma Zeta Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, O'Fallon, Illinois, February 23, 2021

"Political Polarization and Identity Politics," McKendree University SJEC Conversation, McKendree University, February 3, 2021

"Post-elections, U.S.A." (with Brian Frederking), McKendree University SJEC Conversation, McKendree University, November 4, 2020

"Next Week's Elections" (with Brian Frederking), McKendree University SJEC Conversation, McKendree University, October 28, 2020

"Breaking the Ice: Best Practices for Introducing a Class and Creating a Community," T4E Presentation, McKendree University, January 7, 2020

"Making General Education Classes Engaging," Faculty Panel, T4E Presentation, McKendree University, August 20, 2019

"Get Inspired," Faculty Panel, McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp, McKendree University, May 29, 2019

"'All Hell Broke Loose': U.S. Race Riots," Westminster College, Terrorism Course, Fulton, Missouri, March 11, 2019

"'Witnessing Whiteness': Lessons Learned About Identity, Privilege, and Inclusion" (with other Witnessing Whiteness participants), T4E Presentation, McKendree University, January 8, 2019

"Causes and Impact of Family Separation," McKendree University's Conversations on Social Justice in America and Abroad, McKendree University, September 26, 2018

"Race Riots and Black Lives Matter," New Horizon Community Church, East St. Louis, Illinois, February 18, 2018

"White Privilege: Can We Talk About It?" (with Melissa Barfield), McKendree University's Conversations on Social Justice in America and Abroad, McKendree University, January 31, 2018

"Black Lives Matter," McKendree University's Conversations on Social Justice in America and Abroad, McKendree University, October 18, 2017

"Civility, Inclusion, and Justice for All--How Do We Move Forward Together?" (with Social Justice and Equity Committee members), Brown Bag Series, McKendree University, December 7, 2016

"'The Dawn Broke Hot and Somber': U.S. Race Riots of 1964," McKendree University Faculty Colloquium, November 15, 2016

"The 2016 Elections," Brown Bag Series, McKendree University, November 2, 2016

"The Rise of Donald Trump" (with Brian Frederking, Sarah Kendzior, and Peter Palermo), The Hettenhausen Center for the Arts, McKendree University, October 18, 2016

"The History of American Race Riots," Trenton Village Retirement & Assisted Living, Trenton, Illinois, September 15, 2016

"McKendree's Social Justice and Equity Committee" (with committee members), Brown Bag Series, McKendree University, September 7, 2016

"The Social History of Race Riots," Eden Theological Seminary, Religion in America Course, Webster Groves, Missouri, March 22, 2016 

 

Recent Conferences/Workshops

Participant, "The Eras Convention: 100 Years of Phi Eta Sigma," November 3-5, 2023, Cleveland, Ohio

Participant, "McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp," May 25, 2023, Lebanon, Illinois

Presenter, "The Domestic Impact of Cold War Foreign Policy," at the International Studies Association Midwest Annual Conference, November 18, 2022, St. Louis, Missouri

Participant, "Facing the Future Together: Phi Eta Sigma National Convention," October 14-16, 2022, Birmingham, Alabama

Participant, "Renewing Illinois" Summit, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, September 29-30, 2022, Carbondale, Illinois

Participant, "McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp," June 1, 2022, Online

Moderator, "Social Justice at McKendree University: In the Classroom, Campus, and Streets," Associated Colleges of Illinois Virtual Professional Development Conference, December 2, 2021, Online

Participant, "McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp," May 25-26, 2021, Online

Participant, "Lebanon Listens: A Conversation on Racial Equity in Education," January 30, 2021, Online

Participant, "Lebanon Listens: A Conversation on Racial Equity and Inclusion," November 14, 2020, Online

Participant, "Breaking Barriers: Phi Eta Sigma National Convention," September 25-27, 2020, Online

Participant, "McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp," May 26-27, 2020, Online

Presenter, "Race, Tension, and the Cold War," The Cold War and American Life Symposium, Westminster College, November 8, 2019, Fulton, Missouri

Participant, "Focus on Teaching and Technology: A Regional Conference at the University of Missouri-St. Louis," September 27, 2019, St. Louis, Missouri

Participant, "Campus & Community Voter Engagement Summit," Washington University in St. Louis, September 12, 2019, St. Louis, Missouri

Participant, "McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp," May 28-29, 2019, Lebanon, Illinois

Participant, "Renewing Illinois" Summit, Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, Southern Illinois University-Carbondale, March 28-29, 2019, Carbondale, Illinois

Participant, "Operation Opportunity: Phi Eta Sigma National Convention," October 12-14, 2018, Washington, DC

Participant, "Focus on Teaching and Technology: A Regional Conference at the University of Missouri-St. Louis," September 28, 2018, St. Louis, Missouri

Participant, "McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp," May 29-31, 2018, Lebanon, Illinois

Participant, "Segregation in St. Louis: Dismantling the Divide," April 25, 2018, St. Louis, Missouri

Participant, "Race & Inequality in America: The Kerner Commission at 50," February 27-March 1, 2018, Berkeley, California

Participant, "Phi Eta Sigma Midwest Area Regional Conference," November 10-12, 2017, Green Bay, Wisconsin

Participant, "Focus on Teaching and Technology: A Regional Conference at the University of Missouri-St. Louis," September 29, 2017, St. Louis, Missouri

Participant, “McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp,” May 31-June 1, 2017, Lebanon, Illinois

Presenter, "Relationships and Trust Issues: Interdisciplinary Connections to Community-Based Approaches," at the Southwestern Social Science Association Annual Meeting, April 12-15, 2017, Austin, Texas

Participant, "Focus on Teaching and Technology: A Regional Conference at the University of Missouri-St. Louis," November 4, 2016, St. Louis, Missouri

Participant, "McK Make Your Mark Boot Camp," May 31, June 2, 2016, Lebanon, Illinois

 

Organizations

American Political Science Association

Midwest Political Science Association

Southwestern Social Science Association

World Affairs Council-St. Louis

 

Honor and Service Societies

Alpha Chi

Alpha Phi Omega (McKendree University chapter co-advisor, Spring 2013-present)

Golden Key

Phi Alpha Theta

Phi Eta Sigma (McKendree University chapter co-advisor, Spring 2014-present)

Phi Kappa Phi (McKendree University chapter president, Spring 2011-Spring 2013; vice president, Spring 2009-Spring 2011)

Pi Sigma Alpha (McKendree University chapter advisor, Fall 2009-present)

Sigma Iota Rho

 

Honors

Teaching:

William Norman Grandy Faculty Teaching Award Recipient, McKendree University, May 2021

William Norman Grandy Faculty Teaching Award Recipient, McKendree University, May 2015

McKendree University Appreciation:

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award Recipient, January 2017
 

Student Appreciation:

Recognition by McKendree University Softball Players, First Pitch at a Home Game, March 2018

McKendree University Hour of Power Faculty Appreciation Recipient, March 2016

Recognition by McKendree University Volleyball Player, Faculty Appreciation Night, October 2012

Research:

Participant, "The 20th-Century Presidency," Faculty Seminar sponsored by the Council of Independent Colleges and the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, Washington, D.C., July 23-28, 2017

Faculty Sabbatical Leave Recipient, McKendree University, Spring 2016

Faculty Engagement Grant Recipient, McKendree University, Fall 2015-Spring 2016

Organizational:

Phi Eta Sigma, Chapter of Distinction, awarded to McKendree University's Chapter, November 2023

Voter Friendly Campus Designation 2023-2024, awarded to McKendree University, March 2023

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, One of the Most Engaged Campuses for Student Voting, awarded to McKendree University, November 2022

Washington Monthly's Best Colleges for Student Voting Recognition, awarded to McKendree University, August 2022

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Highly Established Action Plan Seal, awarded to McKendree University, August 2022

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Silver Seal Recipient, awarded to McKendree University, November 2021

Washington Monthly's Best Colleges for Student Voting Recognition, awarded to McKendree University, September 2021

Voter Friendly Campus Designation 2021-2022, awarded to McKendree University, February 2021

Washington Monthly's Best Colleges for Student Voting Recognition, awarded to McKendree University, September 2020

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Silver Seal Recipient, awarded to McKendree University, November 2019

Voter Friendly Campus Designation 2019-2020, awarded to McKendree University, February 2019

Phi Eta Sigma Pyramid National Award Recipient, awarded to McKendree University's Chapter, October 2018

Voter Friendly Campus Program, McKendree University accepted into program, March 2018

ALL IN Campus Democracy Challenge, Bronze Seal Recipient, awarded to McKendree University, October 2017

Phi Eta Sigma Pyramid National Award Recipient, awarded to McKendree University's Chapter, September 2017

Phi Eta Sigma Pyramid and Capstone National Awards Recipient, awarded to McKendree University's Chapter, October 2016

 

Coordinator

McKendree University Faculty Teaching Circles