Students enrolled in political science classes next term will see a new face in the classroom. Kaedron Bardwell will be joining Simpson faculty this coming fall.

“Professor Bardwell is a very personable and outgoing man who is enthusiastic about teaching students,” Academic Dean Bruce Haddox said.

While the search for a new faculty member was underway, Scott Cody was employed by Simpson for this academic year to teach in political science.

“We are all ready for a permanent professor,” junior Kaela Phillips said. “[Bardwell’s] ability as a permanent faculty member to develop new and different classes will be a great thing for this campus.”

Simpson faculty and students were involved in the search.

Phillips has been assisting with the search since the fall of her sophomore year.

“We were looking for someone students can get along with and who has an open-door policy,” Phillips said.

Phillips is excited about Bardwell’s dedication to his students.

“Many of the classes he wants to teach sound interesting, but more importantly, he wanted to know what classes the students at Simpson were interested in. Students’ needs and wants are his first priority.”

Bardwell is no stranger to Iowa. He graduated from the University of Iowa in 2002 with his doctorate and wrote his dissertation on campaign finance for state elections of governors.

Since his graduation, Bardwell has taught at Grand Valley State University in Michigan.

“He wanted to come back to a liberal arts school,” Haddox said. “Because he received his undergraduate degree from Augustana College, he recognizes the benefits of a small college community.”

Haddox said when Bardwell starts teaching in the fall, his responsibilities will be typical of any new professor here.

“Like any other political science professor, Dr. Bardwell will be teaching American government, but over time he will also develop courses in his specific areas of interest,” Haddox said.

Bardwell’s interests lie in public policy, religion and voting politics. Haddox and many others believe his strengths and interests will help the Simpson community.

“It took awhile, but we found a great person for the job,” Haddox said. “He will do very well here.”