Professor Michael Rocca is an award-winning instructor who teaches graduate and undergraduate courses on American politics, specializing in the U.S. Congress and the American presidency at The University of New Mexico. His research spans from campaign spending in U.S. elections, politics of position-taking in the U.S. Congress, and minority representation in Congress. Between teaching and research, Rocca is also the Director of the Master of Public Policy program, where students will serve their local communities by identifying and championing data-driven policy options.

Rocca’s work has appeared in The Journal of Politics, the Forum, Politics, Groups and Identities, Political Research Quarterly, and much more.  

He is a two-time recipient of the College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellent Award and a recipient of UNM’s Inaugural Digital Literacy Innovation Award.