Warner Pacific College welcomes Dr. JoEllyn Murillo Fountain in her new role as Assistant Professor of Social Science and Chair of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences.
Dr. Fountain joined the College in January 2016 as an adjunct instructor, teaching American Government to both the Traditional and Adult Degree Program (ADP) students. She was hired as a Visiting Assistant Professor for the 2016-2017 academic year to teach political science, sociology, an FYLC – “Power, Privilege and Identity: Developing Leaders in PDX”, and other social science courses in the Traditional program and the Master of Arts in Human Services courses for ADP.
“I am excited to move from a temporary to a permanent faculty member at Warner Pacific because I can further develop the relationships I have had with students to learn from each other,” explains Dr. Fountain. “I look forward to being a part of growing the social and behavioral sciences at the College.”
Dr. Fountain has taught social science courses at a number of universities throughout her career – including Uganda Christian University (UCU) where she and her family lived for more than eight years. UCU hosts a “Best Semester” study abroad program and she taught Ugandan politics to numerous American students from a variety of Christian colleges like Warner Pacific, while also doing administrative work for the university.
As the Assistant Professor of Social Science and Chair of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Dr. Fountain will teach courses in American Government, Social Problems and Social Policy, International Relations, Government of States and Localities, Public Policy & Advocacy, Introduction to the American Legal System, and provide leadership to Social and Behavioral Sciences programs. She holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Oregon.
“As Chair of the Division of Social and Behavioral Sciences and as an instructor in the same, I see my role as a facilitator between the college (students and staff) and the Portland metropolitan area,” said Fountain. “As a Christian institution, we have the opportunity to uniquely impact the city in positive ways.”
Dr. Fountain’s professional affiliations include:
- American Political Science Association
- Christians in Political Science
- World Affairs Council of Oregon
Her research and publications focus on:
- International Relations
- Comparative Politics and Political Institutions
- Policy Making