J. Wesley Leckrone

J. Wesley Leckrone, PhD

  • Chair, Political Science
  • Professor
  • Pre-Law Advisor
Media Expertise:
  • Politics & Government
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Affiliated Programs

Education

  • PhD, Political Science (2006)
    Temple University (PA)
  • MA, American History (1995)
    Temple University (PA)
  • BA, Political Science (1991)
    American University (DC)

About Me

I was a political junky growing up. When I got to college, I found that my professors focused on abstract theories at the expense of current events. This experience greatly informed my teaching philosophy, which is based on using contemporary politics to understand and test theories within the discipline of political science. Consequently, I emphasize experiential learning activities such as trips to the New Hampshire Presidential Primary, Student Advocacy Day in Harrisburg, and student-led political engagement events to spur critical thinking about how government functions.

I teach a broad range of courses related to American government institutions and public policy. Among these are The Presidency, Interest Groups, and State and Local Politics. My research interests are primarily in the areas of federalism, intergovernmental lobbying, and state politics. I am a Fellow at the Center for the Study of Federalism (CSF), host CSF’s Federalism Matters podcast, serve on the Executive Board of the Pennsylvania Political Science Association, and am the former editor of Commonwealth: A Journal of Pennsylvania Politics and Policy.

Research Interests

My primary interests are in the fields of American federalism and state and local policy agendas. Recently I co-edited the book Teaching Federalism: Multidimensional Approaches (2023), which was published as part of Edward Elgar’s Teaching Methods series. Prior to that I researched how the American federal system has affected the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has resulted in four co-authored publications. I am currently co-editing The Health of Democracy in Federal Political Systems: Consolidating, Thriving, or Backsliding? which draws upon papers presented at the 2023 International Association of Centers for Federal Studies Annual Conference in Philadelphia.

Much of my state politics research focuses on Pennsylvania. I have co-edited Pennsylvania Politics and Policy: A Commonwealth Reader, Volume 1 (2018) and Volume 2 (2019). I am currently doing research for Governing the Commonwealth: Politics, Policy and Executive Power in Pennsylvania. The book examines how recent Pennsylvania governors have used their formal and informal powers to influence public policy across a range of issues including education, the environment, and social welfare.

Media Expertise

  • American Federalism
  • American presidency
  • Public policy
  • Legislative policy and process
  • Pennsylvania politics/elections
  • National elections

Publications

  • Leckrone, J. Wesley. (2024). “Was the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) Confederation a European Construction?” With John Kincaid. In Peter Bussjager, Mathias Eller, and Julia Oberdanner, eds., The Making and Ending of Federalism. Leiden: Brill. 
  • Leckrone, J. Wesley. (August 2023). “Controversies in Redistricting: Apportionment and Gerrymandering in America’s Federal System.” With Joseph Marbach. Center for the Study of Federalism, Federalism Digest.
  • Leckrone, J. Wesley. (August 2023). “Federalism in the United States: Dualism with a Splash of Coercion.” In John Kincaid and J. Wesley Leckrone, eds.Teaching Federalism: Multidimensional Approaches. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar.
  • Leckrone, J. Wesley. (Summer 2019). “Trying Not to Lose Ground: State and Local Government Advocacy During Passage of the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.” Publius: The Journal of Federalism 49: 407-436.

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

  • Pennsylvania Political Science Association (PPSA), Northeastern Political Science Association (NPSA)
  • International Association of Centers for Federal Studies (IACFS)

Awards

  • Widener University Faculty Award for Civic Engagement (with Angela Corbo and James Vike) (2023)
  • Widener University Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award (2021)
  • Widener University Distinguished University Professor Award (2021)
  • College of Arts and Sciences Award for Excellence in Teaching (2021)
  • Arts and Sciences Outstanding Researcher Award, Social Sciences, Widener University (2013)
  • Faculty Award for Civic Engagement Finalist, Widener University (2013)
  • Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award Finalist, Widener University (2013)

News

In the Media

Noteworthy

  • University Faculty

    Widener Commends Faculty at 2023 Awards Event

    Widener honored faculty members for their high distinction in areas of civic engagement, institutional leadership, research, as well as innovative and distinguished teaching. Various faculty were awarded at the ceremony, held Thursday, October 19 in Lathem Hall.

    “The professors who were honored at our annual awards ceremony continuously display commitment to teaching, civic engagement, meaningful research, remarkable leadership, and cutting-edge innovation. They are highly valued colleagues and represent core values for which Widener stands," said Provost Andrew Workman. 

    The awards included:

    • The Distinguished University Professor Award honors faculty members of high distinction at the University who also demonstrate the institution is committed to recognizing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service throughout faculty members’ careers. This year's recipients were College of Health and Human Services Professor, Stephen E. Kauffman as well as College of Arts and Sciences Professor, Alexis A. Nagengast.
    • College of Arts and Sciences Professor Dana Olanoff was awarded with the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. This award is given to a faculty member who has exemplified a history of teaching at the highest level of distinction. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching.
    • The Faculty Award for Civic Engagement serves to recognize the outstanding contributions that faculty members have made in accordance with Widener’s civic engagement mission, as well as solidifying Widener students’ understanding of their social responsibilities, and the impact of their disciplinary learning. This year's recipients included faculty from the College of Arts and Sciences: Associate Professor Angela M. Corbo, Professor J. Wesley Leckrone, and Associate Dean of Social Science and Professor James E. Vike.
    • College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Michael Toneff was awarded the Outstanding Researcher Award. This award gives recognition to a faculty member who has participated in research and scholarship nationally or internationally, and made a significant contribution through their research, while advancing their profession or discipline as well as the university’s mission and vision.
    • The Fitz Dixon Innovation in Teaching Award highlights an individual who has designed, implemented, and assessed an innovative or experimental teaching and learning project. This award was presented to College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Janice Krumm.
    • The Faculty Institutional Leadership Award recognizes a record of leading initiatives that further the university’s vision, mission, and strategic objectives. This year’s award recipients were College of Health and Human Services Associate Professor Marina Barnett, who is also interim assistant provost for civic engagement, and College of Arts and Sciences Associate Professor Bretton Alvare.

      Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/widener-commends-faculty-2023-awards-event

  • College of Arts & Sciences

    Political Science Faculty Co-Editor of New, Open Access Book

    Professor of Political Science Wes Leckrone has co-edited a newly released book, “Teaching Federalism: Multidimensional Approaches” which “presents innovative ideas for teaching a wide variety of key concepts of federalism and federal-country cases.”

    The book is open access and free to read, download, and share. 

    Share link: https://www.widener.edu/news/noteworthy/political-science-faculty-co-editor-new-open-access-book

  • College of Arts & Sciences

    Arts & Sciences Faculty Member Named Distinguished University Professor

    College of Arts & Sciences Professor J. Wesley Leckrone has been named a Distinguished University Professor. The honor recognizes faculty of distinction and demonstrates to the broader community that Widener is committed to recognizing excellence in teaching, scholarship, and service throughout a faculty member’s career. Distinguished professors serve for three years.

    Leckrone is an impressive member of the faculty, and he is widely recognized for his teaching excellence. His extraordinary commitment to his teaching has not only earned him a national and global reputation but has led to him being a leader on campus. The energy and time that he devotes to course preparation and development illustrate his dedication to his students. Leckrone has published in highly prestigious, peer-reviewed journals, contributed articles and chapters in national and international edited volumes and edited and contributed to a two-volume set on Pennsylvania politics. In terms of service, Leckrone has contributed to multiple levels of faculty governance, as well as externally with organizations such as the Center for the Study of Federalism and the Pennsylvania Political Science Association. Leckrone’s continuous engagement with his research and his network ultimately provide a richer learning experience for Widener’s undergraduate and graduate students. 

    Share link: https://www.widener.edu/node/22531/

  • College of Arts & Sciences

    Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award Goes to College of Arts & Sciences Faculty Member

    College of Arts & Sciences Distinguished University Professor J. Wesley Leckrone has received the Lindback Distinguished Teaching Award. This award is given to a faculty member who has demonstrated a history of teaching at the highest level. It is endowed by the Christian R. and Mary F. Lindback Foundation, a Philadelphia-based foundation that provides grants to institutions of higher education for the promotion of excellence in teaching.

    Leckrone is an integral member of the political science faculty who has the distinction of teaching a wide range of interdisciplinary courses and provides the highest quality instruction to both majors and non-majors. Leckrone is a specialist in U.S. government, American political culture, and state and local politics. His commitment to teaching is reflected in the innovative ways he fuses his courses with high-impact practices and actively promotes civic engagement. Leckrone continually creates transformational learning experiences for his students by planning student trips such as going to Harrisburg for Student Advocacy Days, to Washington D.C. for visits to the Supreme Court and White House, and to New Hampshire for the 2020 presidential primary contests.

    Share link: https://www.widener.edu/node/22556