In Pursuit of Public Happiness

Think of it this way: we've been given the keys to the country. It runs pretty well, but requires a lot of maintenance and is extremely expensive.

The mechanics who keep the country running on our behalf don't always do a great job explaining what they are doing and half the time we suspect they are fixing things that aren't even broken.

Luckily, the Founders' left an owners' manual and provided us with some good advice on how to maintain it ourselves. Still, it's up to us to run the thing... and that's why we study politics.

My goal as a teacher is to help students develop a lifelong passion for politics. To be good citizens we must not only be knowledgeable about the political process, we have to care enough to actually engage it.

Thanks for visiting my web site. If you have any questions or comments, send me an e-mail at mmarian@hamilton.edu and I will do my best to respond quickly.

About Mack Mariani

I am currently serving as a Visiting Assistant Professor in the Department of Government at Hamilton College. Though this is my first faculty-level position, I have also taught courses at Nazareth College, Syracuse University, SUNY-Oswego, and Monroe Community College.

Prior to teaching at Hamilton, I worked in both national and local politics as a speechwriter and political aide. I've worked hard to incorporate my professional political experience into my teaching by promoting experiential learning opportunities, and using internships, simulations, and practical exercises to connect students to the world of politics.

I received my Ph.D. in Political Science and Certificate in University Teaching from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in May of 2006. I received my M.A. from Syracuse in 1992 and my B.A. from Canisius College in 1991.

My research interests are in the fields of American Politics and Public Policy. I am particularly interested in coursework and projects related to legislative politics, women and politics, and experiential learning. My dissertation, "A Gendered Pipeline? The Advancement of State Legislators to Congress in Five States," examines the way that individual, structural, and cultural factors affect patterns of congressional advancement for female and male state legislators.

I was born and raised in Buffalo, New York and currently live in Rochester, New York with my wife Jean and our three children (ages 8, 6 and 2).

Hamilton College * Department of Government * 198 College Hill Road * Clinton, NY 13323
Cell: (585) 469-1806 * E-mail: mmarian@hamilton.edu