Our People

Flagg Taylor, Ph.D., is Executive Director and Professor in the Center for Civics, Culture, and Society. He has been a visiting fellow at the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University and serves as Chair of the Academic Council of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation. His teaching ranges widely in the history of political philosophy and in the American political tradition. Taylor’s writing and research has been focused in three areas: totalitarianism and dissent; liberalism; and American constitutionalism and executive power. 

Gregory A. McBrayer, Ph.D., Associate Director and Professor

McBrayer joins Miami from Ashland University, where he served as associate professor of political science and most recently as interim provost. He previously held leadership roles with the Ashbrook Center and has taught at Morehead State University, Emory University, and Gettysburg College.

A scholar of political philosophy, McBrayer studies ancient, medieval, modern, and American political thought. His teaching philosophy centers on close reading of great texts and collaborative inquiry, encouraging students to think independently while engaging deeply with enduring human questions. He is co-author and editor of several works on classical political philosophy and has also contributed to public dialogue through podcasts including The American Idea and The New Thinkery.

Kenlea Barnes, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Kenlea Barnes is an Assistant Professor in the Center for Civics, Culture & Society. Kenlea is originally from West Texas and received her B.A. from Texas State University, her M.A. from the University of North Texas, and her Ph.D. from Louisiana State University. She teaches courses using discussion-driven instruction that encourages students to engage deeply with foundational texts and to take their own ideas seriously. Her research focuses on Thomas Jefferson’s vision for American public education and its relationship to liberty and civic life, and her scholarship has appeared in a range of academic publications focused on political thought, civic education, and public discourse.

Thomas W. Holman, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Holman previously served as a postdoctoral research fellow in the James Madison Program in American Ideals and Institutions at Princeton University. His research focuses on 20th century political philosophy and responses to totalitarianism, particularly the work of Hannah Arendt and Eric Voegelin.

His discussion-driven teaching style emphasizes close reading of primary texts and sustained dialogue about the fundamental problems of political life. Holman earned his Ph.D. in political science from The Catholic University of America and has published work in several leading political philosophy journals. He also served as a pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps.

Joseph Keegin, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Keegin earned his Ph.D. in philosophy from Tulane University and has written extensively on politics, philosophy, and democratic self-education. His writings have appeared in publications including The Chronicle of Higher Education, First Things, Aeon, and The New Atlantis.

In the classroom, Keegin emphasizes questioning, careful reading, and intellectual independence. His courses encourage students to engage rigorously with philosophical texts while developing habits of thoughtful inquiry and reflection.

Hannah J.D. Wells, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Wells received her Ph.D. in English from Baylor University, where she studied 19th century American literature. Her research explores the relationship between political philosophy, science, and literature in the works of authors such as Herman Melville, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Mark Twain.

Drawing on her literary background, Wells’ teaching focuses on close reading, interpretation, and discussion. She works with students to examine the texts that shape civic life and culture while strengthening critical reading and communication skills.

Matthew Wells, Ph.D., Assistant Professor

Wells specializes in the history of political philosophy and American political thought. Prior to joining Miami, he served as a visiting scholar at Clemson University and as a postdoctoral fellow at Emory University.

He is the author and translator of Aristotle’s Allegations: A New Translation of the Categories with an Introduction and Interpretive Essay, due to be published this year. Wells earned his Ph.D. in political science from Baylor University. He teaches with a Socratic approach. His goal is for students to understand not only how the government works but why it matters to their everyday lives. He also brings a strong foundation in classical political philosophy and civic thought to his teaching.

Elizabeth Amato, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor

Amato joins Miami from Gardner Webb University where she taught courses on political science. She challenges students to think creatively and engage deeply with big questions about leadership, happiness, citizenship, and the American political tradition. Her first book, “The Pursuit of Happiness and the American Regime,” is a study of novelists including Tom Wolfe and Edith Wharton. She earned her masters and Ph.D. in political science at Baylor University. 

Casey Spinks, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor

Spinks teaches American Civic Thought. He encourages students to engage deeply with the great works of American letters and explore questions about citizenship, meaning, and the good life.

Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, he earned degrees from Louisiana State University and Baylor University, where he earned his Ph.D. in religion. Spinks most recently held a postdoctoral fellowship at The University of Texas at Austin. His research explores theology, philosophy, and politics, and his first book, Kierkegaard’s Ontology, was published this spring.

James Guest, Ph.D., Visiting Assistant Professor

Guest's teaching focuses on classical and modern political philosophy as well as foundational texts in American political thought. He aims to help students wrestle with fundamental problems of justice, the good life, and political order by engaging directly with primary texts. He studied at the University of Dallas, where he earned his master's and Ph.D in political science. His core research interests include the problem of justice in classical and modern political philosophy, the foundation of Aristotle's natural science, and the principles of American political thought. 

Grady Stuckman, Ph.D., Research Associate

Grady Stuckman holds a Ph.D. in Applied Philosophy from Bowling Green State University, as well as an M.A. in Philosophy (bioethics concentration) and a B.A. in Theology and Philosophy from Franciscan University of Steubenville.

In the classroom, he employs a Socratic, discussion-centered approach that encourages students to wrestle with classical political philosophy, constitutional thought, and the foundational ideas of the American political tradition. His goal is to help students understand how these major concepts shape civic life today.

Jeong-Hwan Bae, Ph.D., Research Associate

Jeong-Hwan Bae earned his Ph.D. in political science from the University of Notre Dame. His research focuses on classical political philosophy, particularly Aristotle, as well as political ambition, statesmanship, and civic education. His dissertation, Educating Political Ambition: Aristotle’s Best Regime and the Fragility of Rule, examines how Aristotle educates ambitious readers by revealing the limitations and instability of political rule—even in its highest forms—and directing them toward a more reflective and philosophic mode of life.

Before joining Miami, Bae served as an instructor and commissioned officer at the Republic of Korea Air Force Academy, where he taught political thought, military history, and strategy. His teaching emphasizes close engagement with foundational texts and thoughtful discussion of how political ideas shape citizenship, leadership, and public life.

Valerie Miller, Senior Aspire Project Administrator

As Senior Project Administrator, Val will focus on supporting two specific areas:

• ASPIRE - Advancing State Priorities, Igniting Regional Economies
• Center for Civics, Culture and Society

Both organizations are student-centered and are committed to meaningful, mission-driven impact across Ohio and beyond. Val will use her experiences developing visual storytelling to broaden awareness of both programs and the opportunities they provide for students.

Before joining Miami University in 2026, Val enjoyed a career rooted in journalism and communications. Her varied experiences range from a multimedia journalist at WCPO to media relations with the Scripps National Spelling Bee to IT Internal Communications for DXC Technology.

Val graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Electronic Media/Journalism.

Oleg Bondarenko, Administrative Assistant

Oleg Bondarenko is an Administrative Assistant at the Center for Civics, Culture, and Society at Miami University. Oleg is originally from Russia and has lived in the United States since 2003. He received an A.A. in History from Sinclair Community College in 2019 and a B.A. in History and Political Science from Miami University in 2025. Oleg's primary interests include Russian and European history, as well as US foreign and trade policy.