Jackie Filla is an Assistant Professor of political science at Mount St. Mary’s University in Los Angeles, CA. Dr. Filla completed her PhD (2009) and MA (2003) in political science at the University of California, Riverside and her BA (2002) in political science at California State University, Fullerton. Her research interests revolve around women’s representation in public office and women’s health policy. Dr. Filla has presented and published academic research on women’s representation, received grants to study trends in women’s political participation and is a regular contributor to “Status of Women and Girls” reports in Pennsylvania, California and Los Angeles. Dr. Filla has also directed research at the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics and directs Mount St. Mary’s annual “Ready to Run” women’s campaign training program; which connects women interested in running for public office with campaign experts and elected officials. As a professor at a women’s college, she is passionate about teaching students the writing and quantitative analysis skills necessary for them to become public policy professionals.