Increasingly, African American academics are appointed to political positions in the federal government. This career path can be both beneficial and difficult, dependent on high-level political support and the party in power. Most are short-term jobs, may slow the tenure process, and can adversely affect the faculty-college relationship. Several…

Seventeen million people are employed in the delivery of government services in the United States, more than half of these in education, health care, and public safety. Others provide services related to defense, postal service, the environment, housing, and administration. Though 82 percent of public employees work for state and local government,…