Administrative Director: Dr. Michael Hannahan

Dr. Hannahan was born in Springfield, Ohio in 1959. He received his Bachelor's degree in 1980 from Miami of Ohio and his Master's Degree and Ph.D. from the University of Massachusetts. Dr. Hannahan's research examines the effects of political campaign activity — especially direct mail and phone banks. Dr. Hannahan has worked for political parties, managed campaigns and political consulting firms, and served as Senior Advisor to former Massachusetts Governor, Jane Swift. He teaches American Political Thought, American Government, Campaign Finance and Reform, and Modern Political Campaigns. Mike's wife, Lisa, is a Speech Therapist at Fort River School in Amherst. He has two children: Colin, a high-schooler and Caitlin, a college student. He enjoys running, hiking, golf, and cheering on the Boston Red Sox baseball team. As Administrative Director, Dr. Hannahan is responsible for making sure your programs run smoothly and your stay is enjoyable as well as productive. He will also make presentations on American campaigns and elections.

Program Director: Dr. Jerome Mileur
Institute for American Politics and Political Development

Dr. Jerome Mileur (Jerry) directs the Institute on American Politics and Political Thought. He is professor emeritus in the Department of Political Science at the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, where he taught courses on party and electoral politics in the U.S. and on twentieth century American politics and thought. A former president of the New England Political Science Association and Department Chair, he is currently coeditor of a UMass Press series on the political development of the American nation. Mileur has worked in the state legislatures of Illinois and Massachusetts and has been active in Democratic party politics. A native Midwesterner from Illinois, he holds a Ph.D. in Government from Southern Illinois University. Outside the Academy, his passions are collecting political cartoons and memorabilia and professional baseball. As Program Director, Dr. Mileur is responsible for curricular development and content.

Financial and Administrative Assistant: Becky Martin

Becky Martin has been the Administrative & Financial Assistant for the Civic Initiative and Economic & Public Policy Research Units under the University of Massachusetts Presidents Office in Hadley, Massachusetts since May 2005. Always associated with education, prior to the Civic Initiative, Becky worked as an Administrative Assistant for the UMass Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, the Hartsbook School, and UMass’ University Information Technology Services. Becky obtained her A.A.S. in Business Administration from Grahm Junior College in Boston, Massachusetts. Currently, Becky lives in Belchertown, Massachusetts with her husband, Henry. Becky is a mother of two; Michael (34), Katy (30), and has four grandchildren with the fifth on the way.