Pearson Cross, PhD
Professor, Criminal Justice
Director, School of Behavioral & Social Sciences

Education

Ph D

1997, Politics
Brandeis University

BA

1985, Political Science
San Francisco State University

Biographical Sketch

Dr. Pearson Cross is Professor and Director of the School of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Louisiana at Monroe where he teaches Louisiana and American politics. His most recent book is The Party is Over: The New Louisiana Politics (2022) (with Dr. Christie Maloyed) on LSU press. He hosts a bi-monthly public affairs radio program on Louisiana politics, Bayou to Beltway, on Monroe’s NPR affiliate station, KEDM 90.3 FM.

Research Interests

Louisiana politics

Education policy and politics

Race and redistricting

Electoral politics, both state and national

Recent Publications

Cross, P., Stockley, J. (2026). Black Representation in the Old south? Mid-Decade Remaps in Alabama and Louisiana bring New Possibilities. Springer Nature Link.

Cross, P. (2024). The Politics of Opportunity: Education Reform in the Jindal Administration (pp. 195-214). Jackson, MS: University Press of Mississippi.

Cross, P. (2023). Home Rule Charters. New Orleans: Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

Cross, P. (2023). Louisiana Government in the Modern Era. New Orleans, Louisiana: Louisiana Endowment for the Humanities.

Cross, P. (2022). The Party is Over: The New Louisiana Politics. Baton Rouge, Louisiana: Louisiana State University Press.

Courses Taught

POLS 2001AMERICAN NATIONAL GOVERNMENT, 1 course(s)

POLS 2010HONORS POLITICAL SCIENCE, 2 course(s)

POLS 4007WESTERN POLITICAL THEORY, 2 course(s)

POLS 4020LOUISIANA GOVT & POLITICS, 2 course(s)

POLS 4055THE U.S. PRESIDENCY, 1 course(s)

POLS 4099SENIOR SEMINAR, 1 course(s)

Pearson Cross, PhD Professor, Criminal JusticeDirector, School of Behavioral & Social Sciences