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Pearson Cross currently serves as Head of the Political Science Department at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette . His principal areas of teaching are State and Local politics, Southern politics, and Louisiana politics.
He is a regular commentator on Louisiana politics on national, local and state-wide media. Dr. Cross received his B.A., from San Francisco State University in 1985 and his Ph.D. from Brandeis University in Massachusetts in 1997. His dissertation was titled "Collective Action in Colonial America."
Current research interests include gender and politics, legislative politics, and Louisiana government.
Dr. Cross advises the College Democrats and serves on the American Democracy Project committee.
His first avocation is jazz piano; his second is southern cooking.
He is married to Lisa Orten Cross and has one son, Elias.
More than half the population of Louisiana – 51% -- is female. Yet, only 11 % of the state’s Legislators are women. Why?
What factors in Louisiana’s lifestyle – and history - contribute to its weight problems?
What will the changes to the state’s education system mean for Louisiana’s public schools?
How can the system be revamped while keeping the promise to those who have provided years of public service?
What factors in Louisiana’s lifestyle – and history - contribute to its weight problems?
How civic-minded are Louisiana’s citizens and how can they become more involved?
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