York Professor Receives Grant to Enhance Student Knowledge

Congratulations to Dr. Anthony Sparacino of the Behavioral Sciences Department, who has been awarded an $8,484 grant from the Institute for Humane Studies (IHS) to support programming at York College.

Dr. Sparacino’s IHS grant funds a Spring 2026 program in two parts:

1. Two lectures, featuring prominent political scientists Dr. Nicholas Jacobs and Dr. James Hollifield, exploring a key element of the legacy of the American Founding period -- the potential for sustained community in a large republic.
2. The second part of the program will consist of a reading group of students primarily in the political science major, and others taking upper-level electives in the program, which will feature the work of the invited speakers. Students will be asked to read selected works by the speakers in advance of the lectures and to facilitate discussion during each talk.

The impressive speakers are Dr. Nicholas Jacobs, Goldfarb Family Distinguished Chair in American Government and Director of the Public Policy Lab at Colby College; and Dr. James F. Hollifield, Ora Nixon Arnold Fellow in International Political Economy and Professor of Political Science and Director of the Tower Center at Southern Methodist University.

“The primary goal of the proposed lecture series is to provide opportunities for York College students to engage in meaningful dialogue about the American political tradition,” says Dr. Sparacino. “This lecture series is meant to enhance the opportunities our students have to explore their interests in American politics and history, and the scholars that have agreed to participate offer important perspectives on features of the American political system established at the Founding and will feature topics that will resonate with the interests and experiences of our student body.”

This faculty accomplishment has made the Office of Academic Affairs very pleased.

“Dr. Sparacino’s award is a major milestone for our growing Political Science program, says Dr. Derrick Brazill, provost and vice president for Academic Affairs. “This grant creates a unique opportunity for our students to engage directly with leading thinkers in the field -- an experience that will deepen their understanding of American political thought and broaden their academic horizons. We’re proud of this achievement and excited for the impact it will have on our campus.”