Washington DC
Program Staff
Faculty-in-Residence 2023-2024
Fall 2023
![Brian Newman](/seaver/internationalprograms/images/brian-newman.jpg)
Dr. Brian Newman
Professor of Political Science
Social Science Division
Office: AC 252
Brian Newman has taught political science at Pepperdine for 18 years, focusing on US politics. He grew up in Michigan and graduated from Michigan State University for undergrad and Duke for grad school. He loves the beach, books of all stripes, the Michigan State Spartans, the Detroit Tigers (somewhat unfortunately), roller coasters, and tacos. His wife, Dina, and their four kids have loved their time as a faculty-in-residence family in London, Buenos Aires, and Washington, DC. He’s thrilled to be going back to DC and its mix of politics, history, culture, and ice cream.
Faculty-in-Residence 2024-2025
Fall 2024
![Dr. Chris Soper](/seaver/internationalprograms/images/chris-soper3.png)
Dr. J. Christopher “Chris” Soper
Distinguished Professor of Political Science
Social Science Division
Office: APC 24
Chris Soper is a Distinguished Professor of Political Science at Seaver College and teaches a variety of classes in American and Comparative Politics. He completed his PhD at Yale University and has been teaching at Pepperdine for more than 25 years. Chris and his wife Jane (an elementary school teacher and administrator) have served previously in the Heidelberg and London campuses. Chris and Jane are excited to explore the extraordinary cultural opportunities in DC and Chris (not surprisingly given his background) looks forward to spirited and respectful discussions about politics as we live in our nation’s capital.
Spring 2025
![Dr. Marie Mullins headshot](/seaver/internationalprograms/images/mairemullins.png)
Dr. Marie Mullins
Blanche E. Seaver Chair of English Literature, Professor of English
Humanities and Teacher Education Division
Office CAC 109
Maire Mullins is Blanche E. Seaver Chair of English Literature and Professor of English at Seaver College, and teaches classes in American Literature. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Notre Dame where she met her husband, Paul J. Contino, who is a Professor of Great Books at Pepperdine. She has been teaching at Pepperdine since 2002. Maire and Paul live in faculty housing on campus, and have two daughters, Mai Rose and Teresa. They have served previously as the faculty family in Florence, Italy. They greatly enjoy living and learning with Pepperdine students and are excited to explore our nation's capitol.
Updated: 8.7.23