Faculty Member Since 1991
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Desiree Pedescleaux, Ph.D., a native of Baton Rouge, Louisiana, earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Southern University in 1983, graduating valedictorian. She earned a Master of Arts degree and a doctorate in Political Science from Yale University. A member of the Spelman College faculty since 1991, Dr. Pedescleaux serves as dean of Undergraduate Studies and is an associate professor of the political science department. She teaches courses in National Government, Constitutional Law, Civil Liberties, and Urban Politics. Among her publications, The Color of School Reform, co-authored with Jeffrey Henig, Richard Hula, and Marion Orr, received the Best Book Award in Urban Politics from the Urban Politics Section of the American Political Science Association (September 2000).
Active in the profession, Dr. Pedescleaux is a member of the American Political Science Association, the Urban Affairs Association, Southern Political Science Association, and the National Conference of Black Political Scientists where she served President (2007-2009). She is the recipient of numerous awards and honors, including the Presidential Teaching Award for Excellence in Teaching at Spelman College, Emerging Scholar (Black Issues in Higher Education, Ford Foundation Dissertation Award, and a National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship.
Fun Facts: Known on campus as “Dean P,” she is the proud doggie parent to Max!