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Academic Affairs

Delphia Shanks, Ph.D.

Shanks Delphia 1335 2022

Delphia Shanks, Ph.D.

Chair, Department of Politics

Director, Arkansas Center for Civic Leadership

Associate Professor of Politics

She/Her/Hers shanks@hendrix.edu

Academic Background

  • B.A., Grinnell College, 2001
  • M.A., Cornell University, 2016
  • Ph.D., Cornell University, 2018

Recent Publications

  • SoRelle, Mallory E. and Delphia Shanks. 2023. "The policy acknowledgement gap: Explaining (mis)perceptionsÌý
    of government social program use." Policy Studies Journal . 0(00):1-25. DOI: 10.1111/psj.12513

    Ìý

  • Shanks, Delphia and Mallory E.SoRelle. 2021. "The paradox of policy advocacy: philanthropic foundations, public interest groups, and second-order policy feedback effects." Interest Groups & Advocacy. DOI:ÌýÌý10.1057/s41309-021-00120-5

    Recipient of 2022 Grant Jordan & Burdett Loomis Best Article Award

    Ìý

  • Shanks-Booth, DelphiaÌý and Suzanne Mettler. 2019. "The Paradox of the Earned Income Tax Credit: Appreciating Benefits but not Their Source." Policy Studies Journal . DOI:Ìý10.1111/psj.12305

    Ìý

Teaching Interests

    • Civil Society & Civic Engagement
    • American Political Institutions
    • Public Policy
    • The Carceral State
    • Research Methods

Alumna Marleigh Hayes ’25 awarded Catalyst Grant supported by the Urban Institute

April 14, 2026Ìý– ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ alumna Marleigh Hayes ’25 is advancing criminal justice reform efforts in Arkansas through her leadership with decARcerate, one of 25 organizations nationwide selected for the Catalyst Grant Program supported by the Urban Institute and the Microsoft Justice Initiative.

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ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ Center for Civic Leadership in Arkansas accepting applications for second cohort of Civic Leadership Scholars

March 11, 2026Ìý— ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ’s Center for Civic Leadership in Arkansas (CCL) is now accepting applications for the second cohort of its Civic Leadership Scholars Program, a selective, cohort-based initiative designed to cultivate students’ commitment to civic engagement, public service, and leadership. Applications...

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ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ announces first cohort of the Center for Civic Leadership in Arkansas

September 11, 2025Ìý– ºÚÁϲ»´òìÈ is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of Civic Leadership Scholars, part of the Center for Civic Leadership in Arkansas (CCL). CCL is a new initiative designed to cultivate students’ commitment to civic engagement and leadership across the state.

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