San José State Honors 2026 Outstanding Faculty and Staff

Mary Currin-Percival is associate professor of political science, director of the Institute for Public Affairs and Civic Engagement (IPACE), director of SJSU Votes, and SJSU Student Civic and Voter Empowerment coordinator. She is also the faculty advisor for the award-winning Epsilon Iota Chapter of Pi Sigma Alpha, the national political science honor society, faculty advisor for Student Homes Coalition, and the Political Science Internship coordinator. She teaches courses in U.S. and California politics, political science research methods, political participation, state politics, the U.S. presidency, and a senior seminar on campaign advertising.

Her research focuses on political participation, teaching and learning in political science, and California politics. Her work has appeared in the Journal of Political Science Education, PS: Political Science and Politics, State and Local Government Review, and International Migration, among other journals. She is also co-author with Larry Gerston and Garrick Percival of "California Politics and Government: A Practical Approach," 15 th edition, and "California's Recall Election of Gavin Newsom: COVID-19 an the Test of Leadership."

She is a first-gen college student and is proud to have been educated at a California community college, a CSU, and a UC. She and her spouse (and colleague) Garrick are the proud parents of two amazing kids.

"It is an honor and a privilege to work with our incredible students," she says. "As a first-gen college student who navigated college and graduate school through hard work, exceptional mentoring, financial aid, and some luck, I don't underestimate the potential impact I can have on students. My mentors changed my life; they made me believe that I could have this career. I hope to be there for my students as my mentors were there for me. My advice to Spartans is to celebrate this amazing university experience and take care of each other."