Dr. Adam Hoffman Named PACE Director

SALISBURY, MD---Dr. Adam Hoffman, assistant professor of political science at Salisbury University, has been appointed director of SU’s Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (PACE). 

“Dr. Hoffman brings to PACE an extensive knowledge about Maryland politics, and also about local and national government,” said Dr. Diane Allen, provost and senior vice president of academic affairs at SU.  “He has a passion for teaching students about political issues and helping them become engaged citizens.  Salisbury University is pleased to have him lead this growing institute.”

Hoffman joined the Political Science Department in 2008 after teaching at Gettysburg College, PA. He earned his B.A. in political science and history from SUNY Buffalo (1988), his M.A. in political science from the University of New Mexico (1993), a J.D. from Albany Law School (1992) and his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Maryland College Park (2005).

Hoffman said he was initially attracted to SU due to the opportunity to become involved with PACE: “One of my goals in teaching political science is to show students how to access politics and to connect politics to various aspects of their lives. I am thrilled to lead PACE in enhancing and empowering the political lives of students as well as the entire Salisbury community.”

Hoffman’s teaching interests include American politics, campaigns and elections, race and politics, public opinion, research methodology, and state and local government. His dissertation, “The Impact of Campaign Contributions on State Legislators,” examines the role of money in affecting legislative outputs at the state level. He is co-author, with James G. Gimpel and Karen M. Kaufmann of the article “A Promise Fulfilled? Open Primaries and Representation,” which was published in the Journal of Politics in May 2003.

At the University of Maryland, Hoffman coordinated the Capitol Hill Internship Program. He has worked in the Maryland and New York state legislatures and in Washington, D.C., as a policy analyst for both a private sector policy institute and a large nonprofit organization.

At PACE, Hoffman takes over for co-founder Dr. Fran Kane, who recently retired from SU’s Philosophy Department.

For more information call 410-543-6030 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.