Jennifer Horan

Dr. Jennifer Horan is Associate Professor of Political Science at UNCW. She is a general comparative scholar specializing in Latin America. She has published articles on political branding and women congressional candidates, prediction uncertainty (of natural hazards) and its impact on personal protective behavior, presidential-judicial conflict in Ecuador, access to health care in Peru, managing tsunami risk in tsunami vulnerable communities and environmental negotiations in Latin America.

Education

B.A. in Political Science University of Missouri, St. Louis (1991)
B.A. in Spanish University of Missouri, St. Louis (1991)
M.A. in Political Science, University of New Orleans (1994)
Ph.D. in Political Science, Tulane University (2004)

Specialization in Teaching

Comparative Government and Politics
Latin American Government and Politics
Caribbean Government and Politics
Women and Politics

Research Interests

Comparative Government and Politics
Comparative International Hazards (volcanoes and tsunamis)
Women and elections

Professional Service

2025-2026, Past-President, Southwestern Social Science Association.
2024-2025, President, Southwestern Social Science Association.
2023-2024, President-elect, Southwestern Social Science Association.
2022-2023, Vice President, Southwestern Social Science Association.
2019-2020 President, Southwestern Political Science Association.
2015-2019 Comparative Government and Politics AP Program, College Board, Chief Reader
2014-2018 Associate Director Honors College, University of North Carolina Wilmington
2013-2015, Faculty Co-Chair, General Education Committee
2013-2015, University Studies Advisory Committee, University of North Carolina Wilmington
2013-2014, Secretary to the Faculty Senate, University of North Carolina Wilmington

Community Engagement

Community Organizations:
Wilmington Opera Advisory Committee member (2025-present).
Board member, Cape Fear River Rowing Club (2024-present).
Board member, Cape Fear Clinic (2011-2015), Secretary (2013-2015).

Community Talks:
2025 OLLI – The Panama Canal
2022 OLLI – U.S. Imperialism in Latin America
2019 OLLI – Britain: The Undetermined Country in the Era of Brexit
2010 American Association of University Women, invited lecture, “The ERA: A Legacy.”

High School Student Mentoring:
2012 Faculty consultant, Senior Project Hoggard High School, Mr. Dawson Bristol
2008 Faculty consultant, Senior Project New Hanover High School, Ms. Roxana Boyd
2005 Faculty consultant, Senior Project New Hanover High School, Ms. Katie Sullivan