Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch

Co-director
Laura and Pete Walker Professor of American Studies
Director of American Studies

Elizabeth Kaufer Busch is the Laura and Pete Walker Professor in American Studies, Co-Director of the Center for American Studies, and Director of American Studies at Christopher Newport University. She earned a Ph.D. in political science from Michigan State University, with specializations in American Politics and Political theory. . She serves on the board of directors of the Jack Miller Center for Founding American Principles and History and the Washington, Jefferson, and Madison Institute.

Her research focuses on civic education, administrative lawmaking, and the role that our evolving conceptions of sex, gender, and equality have on public policy. She has published articles, book chapters, and scholarly studies on these subjects. She is co-author or co-editor of Democracy Revisited: Essays on the American Regime (2009), Civic Education and the Future of American Citizenship (2012), and Title IX: The Transformation of Sex Discrimination in Education (2018). She (with William Thro) is currently working on a number of writing projects focusing on reclaiming what they term the "American Proposition" in an "Anti-Constitutional Culture."

Busch was the recipient of the Alumni Society Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring.

Email: elizabeth.busch@cnu.edu

Dr. Nathan E. Busch

Co-director
James and Cynthia Crawford, Professor of US National Security
Distinguished Professor of Political Science

Dr. Nathan E. Busch earned a Ph.D. from the University of Toronto with specializations in international relations and political philosophy. Prior to coming to CNU, he held positions at the Los Alamos National Laboratory, Harvard University, and the University of Georgia.

In addition to numerous scholarly articles and reports, his recent books include The Routledge Handbook of Nuclear Proliferation and Policy (2015), The Politics of Weapon Inspections: Assessing WMD Monitoring and Verification Regimes (2017), and Homeland Security: An Introduction (2021).

Busch was the recipient of the 2017 Faculty Excellence Award for Scholarship and the 2017 Alumni Society Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring.

Email: nbusch@cnu.edu

Dr. Frank W. Garmon Jr.

Faculty Fellow

Assistant Professor of American Studies

Garmon specializes in American political economy. After studying history and economics at Christopher Newport University, he completed his MA and PhD in history at the University of Virginia. He has published articles in the Economic History Review, the Journal of the Early Republic, Historical Methods: A Journal of Quantitative and Interdisciplinary History, and Social Science Journal.

His first book, A Wonderful Career in Crime: Charles Cowlam’s Masquerades in the Civil War Era and Gilded Age, was published by Louisiana State University Press in July 2024. The book traces the career of Charles Cowlam, a Gilded Age swindler who received presidential pardons from Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis during the Civil War. His intrigues reveal how Americans built trust amidst the transience and anonymity of the nineteenth century and exposes the vulnerabilities of a political system built on personal connections.

Garmon received the Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence in Teaching Student Writing in 2023. He regularly offers a course on American Entrepreneurship, and a senior seminar on Alexander Hamilton structured around the award-winning musical.

Email: frank.garmon@cnu.edu

Dr. Jeffry Morrison

Faculty Fellow

Professor of American Studies
Director of Academics, James Madison Foundation

Dr. Jeffry Morrison is a professor of American Studies and Honors at Christopher Newport University and Director of Academics at the federal government’s James Madison Foundation in Alexandria, Virginia. He graduated with distinction from Boston College and from Georgetown University, where he earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in Government. Dr. Morrison has also held faculty positions at Princeton University, the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Georgetown University. He has published as author or co-editor six books on American political thought and culture, as well as chapters, articles, and reviews in scholarly publications in the fields of history, political science, and religion. He has lectured at colleges and historic sites throughout the United States and in England (Hertford College, Oxford) and made media appearances on radio, in print, on video, and on television (C-SPAN, BBC).

Email: jeffry.morrison@cnu.edu

Dr. Jonathan W. White

Faculty Fellow

Professor of American Studies

Dr. Jonathan W. White Faculty Fellow Professor of American Studies Jonathan W. White is a professor of American Studies at Christopher Newport University. He is the author or editor of 19 books that cover a variety of topics related to Abraham Lincoln and the Civil War. Among his awards are the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia’s Outstanding Faculty Award (2019), CNU’s Alumni Society Award for Teaching and Mentoring (2016), the Abraham Lincoln Institute Book Prize (2015), the University of Maryland Alumni Excellence Award in Research (2024), and the Jack Miller Center’s Teaching Excellence Award (2024). His recent books include A House Built By Slaves: African American Visitors to the Lincoln White House (2022), which was co-winner of the Gilder Lehrman Lincoln Prize (with Jon Meacham); Shipwrecked: A True Civil War Story of Mutinies, Jailbreaks, Blockade-Running, and the Slave Trade (2023); A Great and Good Man: Rare First-hand Accounts and Observations of Abraham Lincoln (2024); and an exciting new children’s book, My Day with Abe Lincoln (2024).

Email: jonathan.white@cnu.edu

Rear Admiral Bill McCarthy

Faculty Fellow

Adjunct Professor of Leadership and American Studies

McCarthy is a retired Rear Admiral with over 37 years of military and civilian service. His Navy service included combat operations in Operation Desert Storm. His four operational commands included the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier USS George Washington and Carrier Strike Group EIGHT. A U.S. Naval Test Pilot School graduate, he served on the Joint Staff and in a variety of test and acquisition assignments, culminating in command of the Navy’s Operational Test and Evaluation Force. Following active service, McCarthy served in the Office of the Secretary of Defense at the Deputy Assistant Secretary level as Deputy Director (OT&E), Net-centric and Space Systems/Missile Defense. His awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal and the Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Medal.

McCarthy has served as an adjunct professor of public administration and procurement at Old Dominion University. In addition to serving as an adjunct faculty member in American Studies at CNU, he is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Regent University’s Robertson School of Government, where he teaches courses on the Presidency, Congress, and American Politics.

McCarthy earned a BA in Biology (cum laude) from the College of the Holy Cross. He holds master's degrees in national security studies and public administration from the Air War College and Auburn University Montgomery, respectively. He has completed additional graduate studies at the Robertson School of Government and the Kennedy School of Government. Publications include a variety of technical papers as well as book chapters, including “Eisenhower, the New Look, and Old-fashioned Morality” in Just War in Presidential Rhetoric: U.S. Presidents Making Moral Arguments on War, Peace, and Security, forthcoming 2023, and “Directed Energy and Fleet Defense” The Technological Arsenal - Smithsonian, 2001 He is a member of Pi Sigma Alpha and Pi Alpha Alpha honor societies. His current research entails a comparative study of the National Security Council decision-making models of the Eisenhower and G.W. Bush administrations.

Email: william.mccarthy@cnu.edu

Emily McKenna

Lead Junior Fellow

Hometown: Somerset, Massachusetts

Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch

Email: emily.mckenna.22@cnu.edu

Emily McKenna is a junior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2026. McKenna is double majoring in political science and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies and double minoring in leadership studies and U.S. national security studies. Post-graduation, she plans to pursue her PhD in American Studies. Throughout her time with the Center, McKenna has conducted research, assisted in planning events, and served as a tutor. She now serves as the Center for American Studies Lead Junior Fellow. Outside the center, McKenna is a Presidential Scholar, the Executive Vice President of the Student Government Association, a team leader with the Youth Volunteer Corps of Hampton Roads, and a resident assistant.

Fun Fact: McKenna has thrown tea in the Boston Harbor.

Erin Burrier

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Wintersville, Ohio

Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch

Email: erin.burrier.22@cnu.edu

Erin Burrier is a third-year student at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2025. She is on the pre-law track, double majoring in political science and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies and minoring in leadership studies. Post-graduation, Burrier plans to attend law school and eventually run for public office. Burrier has initiated and led numerous voter registration drives as a big proponent of civic education and engagement. She has also created a project proposal to assist Virginian ex-felons in seeking civil rights restoration. Alongside her mentor, Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch, Burrier has summarized constitutional interpretation methods and strategies to rejuvenate American democracy. Her newest projects include reorganizing the CAS Website, serving as a tutor, and promoting junior fellow engagement. Burrier is also actively involved outside the Center, serving as the President of Order of Omega, the Secretary of the CNU Hurling Team, a resident assistant, and a Presidential Scholar.

Fun Fact: Burrier is a published Spotify host of Season 2, Episode 6 of The Tidewater Project.

Andrew Emerson

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Chesapeake, Virginia

Mentor: Rear Admiral William McCarthy

Email: andrew.emerson.21@cnu.edu

Andrew Emerson is a senior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2025. He is double majoring in political science and American studies and double minoring in leadership studies and philosophy of law. Outside the center, Emerson is the president of CNU Tonight, vice president of operations for CNU Alternative Breaks, and a resident assistant. He also assists political campaigns such as the successful campaigns of Newport News Mayor Phillip Jones, Virginia State Senator Aaron Rouse, and Virginia State Delegate Michael Feggans. Post-graduation, Emerson plans to attend law school.

Fun Fact: Emerson owns a large collection of professional and novelty ties.

Dylan Frederick

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Bealeton, Virginia

Mentor: Dr. Frank W. Garmon Jr.

Email: dylan.frederick.21@cnu.edu

Dylan Frederick is a senior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2025. Frederick is on the pre-law track, double majoring in American studies and international affairs and minoring in Middle East and North African studies and national security studies. Post-graduation, Frederick plans to practice military law and become a JAG officer. He has been assisting Dr. Garmon with his biography on Charles Cowlam and multiple articles concerning Reconstruction America. Frederick has been published with Dr. Garmon by the American Numismatic Society and served as a Summer Scholar in the summer of 2023. Outside of the Center for American Studies, Frederick has worked at McDonald’s and serves as the Vice-President of CNU Rugby.

Fun Fact: Frederick’s cat is brown.

Katherine Grant

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Elk Grove, California

Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch

Email: katherine.grant.21@cnu.edu

Katherine Grant is a senior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2025. She is double majoring in political science and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies while double minoring in leadership studies and human rights and conflict resolution. Throughout her time with the center, Grant has assisted her mentor as a junior fellow and summer scholar by working on Dr. Kaufer Busch’s new book and book reviews. Outside the center, Grant is a Center of Student Success tutor and is active in CNU’s Alexander Hamilton Society. Grant plans to further her studies by attending law school or graduate school after graduation.

Fun Fact: Grant collects necklace charms and shot glasses from different places and people.

Justin Heller

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Vienna, Virginia

Mentor: Dr. Nathan Busch

Email: justin.heller.21@cnu.edu

Justin Heller is a senior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2025. He is on the pre-law track, double majoring in political science and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies. Outside the center, Heller is a member of CNU’s Captain’s Log, club soccer, and a brother of Kappa Sigma. Post-graduation, Heller plans to attend law school.

Fun Fact: Despite being a Washington Commanders fan his whole life, Heller has only seen one playoff win.

Matthew Liss

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Washington Township, NJ

Mentor: Dr. Nathan Busch

Email: matthew.liss.22@cnu.edu

Matthew Liss is a third-year at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in the spring of 2025. He is double majoring in political science and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies and minoring in leadership studies. Post-graduation, Matthew plans to attend law school and later practice family law or environmental law. Underthe mentorship of Dr. Nathan Busch, Liss has assisted with conferences and the bibliography of Dr. Busch's book on the future of arms control. He is a member of the Pi Sigma Alpha Political Science Honors Society. He is also actively involved in the Varsity Men's Soccer team, through which he was awarded the Academic Achiever Award for varsity athletics during the 2023 season.

 Fun Fact: Liss enjoys learning about game theory.

Eve Manning

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Woodstock, Virginia

Mentor: Dr. Nathan Busch

Email: eve.manning.21@cnu.edu

Eve Manning is a senior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2025. She is double majoring in political science and American studies and double minoring in U.S. national security studies and Middle East and North Africa studies. Post-graduation, Manning hopes to work in counterterrorism, hopefully with the Naval Criminal Investigative Service. This past summer, Manning shadowed an investigator. She assists with events through the center and is currently working with Dr. Nathan Busch to begin work on a bibliography. Outside of the center, Manning is the Director of Academic Affairs for Alpha Delta Pi and a member of the Arabic club.

Fun Fact: Manning used to be a competitive Irish dancer.

Raechel Erler

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Reston, VA

Mentor: Dr. Jonathan W. White

Email: raechel.erler.22@cnu.edu

Raechel Erler is a junior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2026. She is majoring in American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies and dual minors in philosophy of law and criminology. She has helped with Pizza, Politics, and Perspectives events and assisted Dr. Jonathan White with researching Lincoln and children. Erler interned last summer with Doorways in their prevention and outreach program. Her work there was featured in a national educational presentation to develop a family life education curriculum that includes the LGBTQIA+ community. Erler wants to attend law school to become a criminal prosecutor and is considering pursuing a judge track to oversee behavioral health dockets. Raechel Erler plays trumpet with the Marching Captains. She is also on the pre-law track and an active member of Hillel.

Fun Fact: Erler likes to watch crime shows (fiction and nonfiction) in her spare time. 

Alanna Griffin

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Yorktown, VA

Mentor: Dr. Frank W. Garmon Jr.

Email: alanna.griffin.23@cnu.edu

Alanna Griffin is a second-year student at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2026. She is majoring in American studies and is on the Master of Arts in Teaching track. Post-graduation, Griffin plans to become an elementary school teacher, later becoming a curriculum writer and working in administration or education policy. Griffin’s past achievements include earning a five on her high school Advanced Placement United States History exam and being named to Christopher Newport University’s Dean’s List two semesters in a row. Since joining the Center, Griffin has assisted with numerous events, including the 2024 National Defense Transportation Association Conference. Outside of the Center, Griffin is a member of Students for Life, serves as the service coordinator for Delight Ministries, and is a kid’s ministry lead for 2nd and 3rd graders at a local church.

Fun Fact: Griffin has five dogs.

Benjamin Jones

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Fredericksburg, Virginia

Mentor: Dr. Jonathan W. White & Rear Admiral William McCarthy

Email: benjamin.jones.22@cnu.edu

Benjamin Jones is a junior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2026. He is double majoring in political science and international affairs and double minoring in leadership studies and U.S. national security studies. Post graduation, Jones plans on working in U.S. intelligence. Outside of his work with the center, Jones is the Vice President of Participant Relations for CNU Alternative Breaks and has attended the International Leadership Association Conference in Vancouver.

Fun Fact: Jones is a pianist of eleven years.

Paiton Jones

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Roanoke, Virginia

Mentor: Dr. Nathan Busch

Email: paiton.jones.22@cnu.edu

Paiton Jones is a junior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2026. She is double majoring in political science and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies and double minoring in leadership studies and U.S. national security studies. Jones has worked on past conferences for the center. After graduation, Jones plans to attend graduate school to pursue a career in national security. Outside of the center, Jones is involved in CNU Alternative Breaks and Special Olympics Gymnastics and is a sister of Alpha Delta Pi.

Fun Fact: Jones’s favorite primary sources to read are the Anti-Federalist Papers.

Maeve Korengold

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Alexandria, Virginia

Mentor: Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch

Email: maeve.korengold.22@cnu.edu

Maeve Korengold is a junior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2026. She is double majoring in American studies and leadership studies, with a minor in French. In the future, Korengold is interested in a career in public policy or law. Under the mentorship of Dr. Kaufer Busch, Korengold is researching Title IX and free speech. Korengold is actively involved on campus as the Vice President of Policy for the Student Diversity and Equality Council and as a brother in Alpha Phi Omega, a co-ed service fraternity.

Fun Fact: Maeve has a guinea pig named Amy.

Lucy Vick

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Quinton, Virginia

Mentor: Dr. Frank W. Garmon Jr.

Email: lucy.vick.22@cnu.edu

Lucy Vick is a junior at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2026. She is majoring in American studies and minoring in theater. Under the mentorship of Dr. Garmon and Dr. White, Vick has worked on a Transcript of Civil War court-martials and audiobook recordings. After graduation, Vick plans to attend law school or graduate school or pursue a career in historic preservation. Outside the Center, Vick is active in residence life, as well as Theatre CNU and Colonial Williamsburg

Fun Fact: Vick has a twin sister.

Kayla Clawson

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Newport News, VA

Mentors: Dr. Elizabeth Kaufer Busch & Dr. Hannah Norman-Krause

Email: kayla.clawson.23@cnu.edu

Kayla Clawson is a sophomore at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in the fall of 2026. Clawson is double majoring in political science and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies. Post-graduation, Clawson plans to attend law school to practice family or juvenile law. Since graduating from high school early, Clawson has become active on campus through CNU Women's Club Lacrosse and CNU Gymnastics. She is also a member of Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity.

Fun Fact: Clawson's great-grandfather was one of the White House Directors of Communication during Richard Nixon's presidency. 

Francisca Pitterle

Junior Fellow

Hometown: Alexandria, VA

Mentor: Rear Admiral William McCarthy

Francisca Pitterle is a sophomore at Christopher Newport University and is expected to graduate in 2027. Pitterle is double majoring in leadership studies and American studies with a concentration in constitutional studies and double minoring in Chinese studies and philosophy of law. Post-graduation, Pitterle plans to attend law school to become a constitutional lawyer. She is actively involved in the CNU Ballroom Dance Club and Food Fighters. Pitterle has also earned her Eagle Scout rank in Boy Scouts and her Girl Scout Gold Award.

Fun Fact: Pitterle did debate in high school.