Faculty recognized for their scholarship and teaching
Jepson faculty are not only well known as world-class teacher-scholars on campus — they also are recognized frequently for excellence in their fields of study and share their research and scholarship with others by publishing books and articles on a variety of leadership topics.
Sandra Peart
As a 2024 Fulbright specialist, Dean Sandra Peart traveled to the Universidad del Desarrollo in Santiago, Chile, to work with UDD faculty and staff on the development of a philosophy, politics, and economics undergraduate program that would foster democratic ideals and values. UDD leadership selected Peart for her expertise in the history of economics, experience in interdisciplinary curriculum design, and engagement as dean of the Jepson School. In addition, in July, the History of Economics Society presented her with its Distinguished Fellow Prize in recognition of her substantial contributions to the study of economics history.
Terry Price
Known for his innovative teaching and rigorous scholarship, philosopher Terry Price received a 2025 State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award, the highest honor for faculty at Virginia’s public and private colleges and universities. He is the author of three books and numerous articles and chapters on leadership ethics.
Christopher von Rueden
The Human Behavior and Evolution Society selected Christopher von Rueden for its Fellow Award in recognition of his contributions to the study and teaching of evolution and human behavior and his service to the society. An anthropologist with expertise in traditional human societies, his research primarily focuses on how humans form status hierarchies.
Faculty books explore leadership topics
Five faculty books published during the 2024–25 academic year reflect the interdisciplinary scholarship Jepson faculty bring to the study of leadership.
Peter Iver Kaufman, George Matthews and Virginia Brinkley Modlin Chair in Leadership Studies and professor of leadership studies, published two books in 2024–25 — Arendt's Disappointments and Our New Beginnings: Citizenship and Democracy Reimagined and Safety First: Imperium, Discontent, and Augustine. The first explores how the political theories of a leading twentieth-century philosopher can help us reimagine democracy in the 21st century. The second analyzes the politics of fifth-century Christianity in Roman Africa.
In Why It's Okay to Have Bad Spelling and Grammar, Jessica Flanigan, Richard L. Morrill Chair in Ethics and Democratic Values and professor of leadership studies and philosophy, politics, economics, and law, argues that the ability to communicate effectively is more important than adhering to strict spelling and grammar guidelines.
Case Studies in Political Leadership is the latest collaboration of co-editors and psychologists George R. Goethals, leadership studies professor emeritus, and Scott T. Allison, psychology professor emeritus. The book comprises 26 case studies on political leadership across the globe, including 11 written by current and former Jepson faculty members.
The Making of Twenty-First-Century Richmond: Politics, Policy, and Governance is coauthored by leadership studies professors Julian Maxwell Hayter and Thad Williamson and University of Richmond associate provost for strategic initiatives and community engagement Amy Howard. The book includes historical research as well as public policy and political analysis specific to the city of Richmond.
Philosopher joins faculty
Visiting international scholar
The school’s 2023–25 Zuzana Simoniova Cmelikova Visiting International Scholar in Leadership and Ethics, Ekrem Mus holds a doctorate in public policy and administration. He researches democratic backsliding and security governance in developing countries, including his native Turkey.
Leadership ethics
The study of leadership ethics is at the heart of a Jepson School education. To support ethics education, the Donchian Foundation awarded the school a multi-year $150,000 grant, which includes funds for faculty research and future funds for students to participate in intercollegiate competitions and travel to conferences to present their research.