Chillicothe’s First Family teaching political science on the Chillicothe campus

City of Chillicothe Mayor, Luke Feeney, and his wife, Stacy, are both teaching classes at Ohio University Chillicothe this fall semester 2018. The Feeney family is using their background in politics and law to educate Chillicothe campus students about political science.

Luke graduated from the Ohio University Athens campus with a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science before earning his Juris Doctor (JD) from Case Western Reserve Law School. Stacy received her JD from the Vermont Law School. She also has a Bachelor’s of Science in Biology from Xavier University and a Master’s in Environmental Studies from the University of Charleston.

Before beginning his term as Mayor of Chillicothe on Jan. 1, 2016, Luke served as the Chillicothe City Auditor for three years. He is also an attorney with a general civil practice background.

Stacy is not a new face as an instructor on the Chillicothe campus as she has previously taught courses in 2015 and 2016 while she was a teaching fellow in law school. She is currently an attorney with a general civil practice background with extensive experience in family law. She has also taught through Hocking College’s Learning Adventures Program.

Luke and Stacy met when they were attorneys working at Southeastern Ohio Legal Services. 

The couple remarked that they were happy to apply for the adjunct faculty positions and are glad to have the opportunity to teach and become involved in the community in a new way.

Luke remarked, “I never really pictured myself teaching in a college setting, but I have always enjoyed being around students and in an academic atmosphere. It's especially fun for me to be teaching at Ohio University, my alma mater!” Luke has previously been a mock trial coach and has taught Junior Achievement as well.

“I have always had an interest in teaching and when the political science professor went on sabbatical a few years ago it was a great opportunity to get started,” noted Stacy. “I love engaging with my students and our political climate has made for interesting and important conversations. The Chillicothe campus is so convenient for us and is such a part of our community that it is great to be able to teach here.”

This fall, Luke is teaching POLS 1500, Themes in Global Politics, and Stacy is teaching POLS 1010, Politics in the United States.

“I’m loving it,” remarked Luke when asked how the semester was going. “I have a small and very engaged class. Overall their exposure to global politics was limited prior to the class and I'm very impressed with how much they've picked up along the way and how interesting our classroom conversations are.”

Although not a first-time instructor, Stacy shared that she is still navigating the process as an adjunct professor.

She commented, “This is the fifth section I've taught and this semester I have a smaller group, which is nice. It allows me to get to know my students better. None of my students are political science majors, but they know that I'm also not a full-time professor. So, it feels like we are on an educational journey together to make sure we meet our goals for the semester. So far, everyone is doing really well and I appreciate what each student contributes to the class.”

The Chillicothe campus is fortunate to have Chillicothe’s First Family with us this semester. Associate Dean, Dywayne Nicely, remarked, “Luke and Stacy are great people and we are very happy that they are teaching for us this term. Late in the summer, our full-time Political Science Professor unexpectedly resigned and that put us in a rough spot with the fall schedule. We did a quick job search and Luke and Stacy were two of the four adjunct faculty members that we hired to staff our Political Science courses.”

Feeney and his family currently reside in Chillicothe, Ohio.

undefinedCity of Chillicothe Mayor, Luke Feeney, consults with his POLS 1500 students during group discussion

undefinedStacy Brooks, Chillicothe’s First Lady, participates in small group discussion with her POLS 1010 students