Teaching Experience
Primary Instructor
PLCY 220: The Politics of Public Policy (13 students; online instruction) — Summer 2021
PLCY 220: The Politics of Public Policy (16 students; online instruction) — Summer 2020
Recitation Instructor
PLCY 101: Making Public Policy (25 students; hybrid instruction) — Fall 2020
PLCY 101: Making Public Policy (25 students; hybrid instruction) — Fall 2020
Teaching Assistant
PLCY 220: The Politics of Public Policy — Spring 2021
PLCY 581: Research Design for Public Policy — Spring 2020
PLCY 210: Policy Innovation & Analysis — Fall 2019
PLCY 210: Policy Innovation & Analysis — Spring 2019
PLCY 210: Policy Innovation & Analysis — Fall 2018
Graduate Research Consultant*
PLCY 365: Sexuality, Gender, and Public Policy — Spring 2022
PLCY 581: Research Design for Public Policy — Summer 2020
*For more information about the Graduate Research Consultant program at UNC, please click here.
Sample Syllabi
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The Politics of Public Policy
*Taught Summer Session I 2020 and Summer Session I 2021 at UNC-Chapel Hill as PLCY/PWAD 220
The Politics of Public Policy is a mid-level undergraduate course meant to introduce students to theories and frameworks of the policy process. Through this course, students about organizations, institutions, and actors involved in shaping policymaking decisions.
Summary of Teaching Evaluations
Student Evaluation of Teaching, Summer Session I 2020
PLCY 220-002: The Politics of Public Policy
| Question | Mean Response | Median Response |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Overall, I learned a great deal from this course. | 4.46 | 4.00 |
| 2. The instructor treated all students with respect. | 4.69 | 5.00 |
| 3. The instructor encouraged students to participate in this class. | 4.62 | 5.00 |
| 4. The instructor saw cultural and personal differences as assets. | 4.54 | 5.00 |
| 5. In this couse I had multiple opportunities to express my viewpoints and questions. | 4.46 | 5.00 |
| 6. The course challenged me to think deeply about the subject matter. | 4.54 | 5.00 |
| 7. The design of the course (e.g., its format, selected materials, assignemnts, exercises, quizzes, etc.) helped me better understand the subject matter | 4.54 | 5.00 |
| 8. Overall, this course was excellent. | 4.54 | 5.00 |
Note: Scores range from 1 to 5, where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree’.
Student Evaluation of Teaching, Summer Session I 2020
PLCY 220-001: The Politics of Public Policy
| Question | Mean Response | Median Response |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Overall, I learned a great deal from this course. | 4.69 | 5.00 |
| 2. The instructor treated all students with respect. | 4.85 | 5.00 |
| 3. The instructor encouraged students to participate in this class. | 4.54 | 5.00 |
| 4. The instructor saw cultural and personal differences as assets. | 4.54 | 5.00 |
| 5. I could really be myself in this course. | 4.31 | 4.00 |
| 6. In this couse I had multiple opportunities to express my viewpoints and questions. | 4.54 | 5.00 |
| 7. The course challenged me to think deeply about the subject matter. | 4.54 | 5.00 |
| 8. The design of the course (e.g., its format, selected materials, assignemnts, exercises, quizzes, etc.) helped me better understand the subject matter | 4.38 | 4.00 |
| 9. Overall, this course was excellent. | 4.50 | 4.50 |
Note: Scores range from 1 to 5, where 1 is ‘Strongly Disagree’ and 5 is ‘Strongly Agree’.
Select Quotations from Open-Ended Questions
“Kellen was very accommodating and understanding, but still gave excellent feedback that was objective and firm. I felt like I could come to him if I was facing any issue.”
— Student Enrolled in PLCY 220: The Politics of Public Policy
“This was by far my favorite recitation section this semester. I always felt invited to voice my thoughts, ideas, opinions and questions openly in this recitation and feel that Kellen played a huge role in creating a comfortable environment. I was also given numerous opportunities to engage in discussion with my peers in breakout rooms and really enjoyed getting to hear my classmates thoughts on certain aspects of public policy. Overall, I feel that this course truly enhanced my understanding of public policy and how we apply policy to real world situations.”
— Student Enrolled in PLCY 101-601: Making Public Policy (Recitation)
“Kellen has got to be the best TA I've ever had, he went above and beyond. He sent us weekly updates, and was just very available and kind. I feel like my work is much better for his attention to detail and willingness to talk students through their ideas.”
— Student Enrolled in PLCY 581: Research Design for Public Policy
“Kellen was easily the best TA I've had at UNC, and may have been one of the best teachers I have had. Kellen provided honest feedback on my work, helping me to become a better writer and understand course material better. Kellen also helped me when I was feeling discouraged about the course, and the encouragement helped me to feel like a more capable student and kept me from changing my major. I have nothing but great things to say about Kellen.”
— Student Enrolled in PLCY 210: Policy Innovation and Analysis