Bio
Professor Stiles has a multidisciplinary background which she calls upon in her specialty, social entrepreneurship in the Department of Sociology. Students study theories of social change, read case studies, and have regular visits from successful social entrepreneurs. The course incorporates “community-based learning” (CBL), a pedagogy that includes a significant practical element to the academic curriculum. Students partner with a local social entrepeneur and work on projects to advance the mission of the organization. Emphasis on reflection and making sense of theory and practice in the real world assure students they will finish the semester with practical skills and greater social awareness.
In addition, Professor Stiles teaches Law & Society which takes an interdisciplinary look at the orgins of law and the impact it has on our lives.
Prior to 2007, Dr. Stiles was director of the Leadership Program in the School of Public Affairs at American University. A four-year program by competitive admission, Dr. Stiles developed the curriculum, taught the classes, and institutionalized community-based learning. For her efforts she was awarded the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Teaching, the Greek Organizations Award for Outstanding Faculty and the Career Services Office Award for Outstanding Internship Faculty.
Dr. Stiles brings a wealth of experience developing curriculum and networking in the community. She helped found DC Youth & Government in 2002. As program director she worked with high school students in the District with an emphasis on civic engagement culminating in a 2-day simulation of DC government in government offices. She was active in the CoRAL (Community Research And Learning) Network and was executive director from 2007—2008. She helped facilitate collaboration between the universities and community- based organizations and chaired two CoRAL conferences in spring 2007 and 2008.
Dr. Stiles holds a PhD (and MA) in Political Science from Boston University with a concentration in international relations. She also earned a JD from Northeastern University School of Law in Boston, MA where she focused on international law. Dr. Stiles graduated with a BA in Spanish from Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas and followed that with an MA in Spanish Literature from New York University in Madrid, Spain.
