Kevin M. Baron

Dr. Kevin M. Baron joined the Siena College Department of Political Science and International Relations in Fall 2023. He holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Florida. His area of interest and research is on the presidency, in particular interactions between the president and Congress on issues relating to transparency, information, and executive privilege. Dr. Baron's current research examines the rethinking of executive privilege as a negotiation tool in the modern presidency, and how once institutionalized, privilege power continues to expand. Additionally, Dr. Baron focuses teaching and mentorship around civic engagement, providing opportunities for students to connect their academic studies into the world. Prior to coming to Siena College, Dr. Baron was an assistant professor of political science at Austin Peay State University in Clarksville, TN, and a lecturer and civic engagement coordinator at the Bob Graham Center for Public Service at the University of Florida. In his free time he enjoys comic books and superhero pop culture, YA fantasy books, and baking bread and bagels.

My Siena Experience

My Teaching Philosophy

My teaching philosophy is that I am always learning. I meet students where they are and seek to get them engaged in public life and the study of political science. American politics and public rhetoric tends to be seen as negative in our contemporary society, yet now more than ever is a fascinating time to study political science, understand political behavior, and move beyond empty rhetoric to explore a vibrant world of public life. I bring measures of civics into my courses to help students make connections from their academic study into the real world.

What I Love About Siena

Siena is a community that engages students, faculty, and staff to develop connections, leadership, and public engagement. I appreciate the community building and opportunities that Siena provides.

My Favorite Courses to Teach

Any course on American government, the presidency, Congress, political parties, politics and media, and public policy are all winners.

My Professional Experience

Current Research

My research interersts are focused on the American presidency, with regard to how inherent presidential power institutionalizes and how presidents interact with Congress over issues of transparency and access to information. Current research focuses on the development of executive privilege as a negotiation tool for the modern presidency. Additional areas of research are all things regarding the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), transparency, congressional oversight of administrative actors, and the grey area of power disputes betwee the executive and legislative branches.

Articles & Book Reviews

• Informal and Private: Bargaining and Veto Threats over the Freedom of Information Act
  Congress and the Presidency
  2022
• Book Review: The Politics of Presidential Impeachment
  Congress and the Presidency
  2021
• Balancing Power: Executive Privilege and the Freedom of Information Act
  White House Studies
  2020
• Obama's 'Hidden-Hand'Presidency: Myth, Metaphor, or Misrepresentation?
  White House Studies
  2015

Awards & Distinctions

• Founders Award Honoring Bert Rockman. Awarded best paper presented during the 2020 American Political Science Association's Annual Meeting for the Presidents and Executive Politics Section. The paper was titled "Informal and Private: Veto Threats Over the Freedom of Information Act” and has been published at the Journal, Congress and the Presidency.
  
  Category: Research
  American Political Science Association (APSA) Presidents and Executive Politics Section, 2020
• The Douglas H. Price Award is given by the faculty of the political science department at the University of Florida to a PhD Student for overall excellence in the filed of American politics.
  
  Category: Research
  Department of Political Science, University of Florida, 2015

Books & Book Chapters

• Presidential Privilege and the Freedom of Information Act
  Edinburgh University Press
  2019