Here at the College of Sciences and Humanities, we love to highlight the new faculty members joining our team. Professor Johanna Maple is a new Assistant Teaching Professor in the Legal Studies Program in the Political Science department. The following interview discusses what brought her to Ball State, her goals, and her various hobbies.

Describe your experiences prior to coming to Ball State. What brought you here?

I have enjoyed a meaningful and interesting career as an attorney, first serving as a law clerk to a Federal Magistrate Judge, then as a trial attorney for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and finally as an Administrative Judge, also for the EEOC. I have always had an interest in teaching. A long federal government shut-down in December 2018/January 2019, while terrible for the country, gave me an opportunity to look into what opportunities to teach might be available. The timing of the announcement for an opportunity to teach in the Legal Studies Program in the Political Science department at Ball State was perfect, and I was honored to be selected.

What are some of your goals for the first year here? 

I thoroughly enjoyed my first-semester teaching here in the fall. I have been so impressed by how bright, kind, polite, and hard-working the students in the Legal Studies Program are.  It really is an honor to be a part of their learning experience. My goal is to help make the law accessible and help excite students about the work they can do in legal careers to make a positive impact on others.

What are some of your hobbies?

My three boys and husband are the best, and their many activities take up most of my non-Ball State time! I also love just hanging out with friends and family, reading, writing, jogging (I may be a contender if there is a record for the most half marathons completed multiplied by the slowest times), hiking, boating, cooking, going to concerts (Michael Kiwanuka and Elton John are the next on the calendar) and traveling with my family.  A few years ago some friends helped me make a dream come true—we started a book club that meets in different local breweries. We’ve enjoyed over two dozen breweries/taprooms and books together!

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