Dr. Jonathan L. Wharton
Associate Professor of Political Science and Urban Affairs, Graduate School Associate Dean
Biographical information
Dr. Jonathan L. Wharton is associate professor of political science and urban affairs. He is faculty advisor to SCSU’s College Republicans, College Democrats and Golf Club. Wharton earned his BA (History, cum laude), MPA, Ph.D. (Political Science, state and local government) from Howard University, an MA (History) from Rutgers University and George Mason University’s study abroad programs in Asia for two summers.
Wharton currently serves on the New England Political Science Association and Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation boards as well as volunteers for tristate area university chapters of his Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He is a frequent WNPR contributor and ctnewsjunkie.com and Hearst CT columnist for New Haven Register, Connecticut Post discussing state and local issues (media portfolio: https://muckrack.com/wharton). Wharton served as a New Haven City Plan commissioner (2016-2020), deacon and moderator at New Haven’s First Congregational Center Church on the Green (2017-2021), New Haven Republicans chairman (2016-2018) and elected to the Republican State Central Committee (2018-2020).
Prior to academia, Wharton worked for US Representatives Charles Rangel (D-NY), Glenn Poshard (D-IL) and Chris Shays (R-CT). In addition, he was a research analyst in the New Jersey state legislature’s Office of Legislative Services and government affairs researcher for several Washington nonprofit organizations.
Dr. Wharton’s research and publications specialize in local governance and public policy issues, specifically urban redevelopment. Future projects include Connecticut public policy approaches particularly in New Haven and nearby municipalities. This research includes New Haven mayors’ archival initiative at SCSU’s Hilton C. Buley Library.