Vanessa C. Tyson facts for kids

Vanessa Catherine Tyson is an American political scientist and politician. She teaches politics at Scripps College as an associate professor. She is also a political science fellow at Stanford University. In 2020, Tyson ran for a seat in the California State Assembly. She did not win, finishing fifth in the primary election.

Early Life and Education

Vanessa Tyson grew up in Whittier, California. When she was a senior at La Serna High School, her classmates voted her "Most likely to succeed."

College and University Studies

In 1998, she earned a bachelor's degree in politics from Princeton University. She also received a certificate in African American studies. At Princeton, she won two awards: the Ruth B. Simmons Thesis Prize and the Spirit of Princeton award.

Tyson continued her studies at the University of Chicago. There, she earned both a master's degree and a Ph.D. in political science. Her Ph.D. project, called a dissertation, was about how different groups gain influence in the U.S. House of Representatives. This work later became the basis for her book, Twists of Fate.

Professional Career

Before joining Scripps College, Tyson was an assistant professor at Dickinson College. She taught political science there for about eight years. Her classes covered topics like American government and how different groups are represented in politics. She also taught about how racism can affect groups.

In June 2015, she moved to Scripps College. She is now an associate professor of politics there. From 2018 to 2019, Tyson was a special researcher, called a fellow, at Stanford University. She worked at their Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences.

Running for Office

In 2019, Vanessa Tyson, who is a Democrat, announced she would run for the California State Assembly's 57th District. This district includes her hometown of Whittier, California, as well as Norwalk, Hacienda Heights, and La Puente.

The 2020 Election

The person who held the seat before, Ian Calderon, decided not to run again. This meant the seat was open for new candidates. When Tyson announced her campaign, she said she would focus on important issues. These included protecting the environment and making housing more affordable. She also wanted to help reduce poverty, improve access to education, and support women's rights.

Several other people also ran for the seat. Five other Democrats and one Republican filed to replace Calderon. These included Josue Alvarado and Henry Bouchot, who were both on the Whittier City Council. In the primary election, Vanessa Tyson finished in fifth place.