lovell

Darrell Lovell

Assistant Clinical Professor of Political Science and MPA Director, West Texas A&M University

Connect with Darrell

About Darrell

Lovell’s research examines public administration theory, Punctuated Equilibrium Theory, and higher education policy, focusing on how narratives and public opinion shape implementation and instability in areas like DEI, tenure, and divisive concepts. Lovell also studies NIL policy and its administrative and political impacts. His work appears in leading public administration journals, and he co‑authored a 2024 Routledge book on NIL.

In the News

Guest on MyHighPlains.com, November 5, 2024.
Interviewed in "WT Helping Firefighters with Continuing Education," Ruben on the Road, KFDA TV, NewsChannel 10, March 28, 2024.
Guest on KFDA TV, NewsChannel 10: 2nd Cup, February 6, 2024.

Publications

"Neoliberal Policy and Equity on Campus: A Comparative Administrative Study of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) and College Athletics" Journal of Social Equity and Public Administration 3, no. 1 (2025): 99–117.

Analyzes how name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies reflect broader market-oriented trends in higher education and college athletics. Contends that NIL reforms create new opportunities for student-athletes while also raising important questions about equity, access, and the distribution of benefits across different institutions and athlete groups.

"Rethinking Faculty as Street-Level Bureaucrats: Exploring the Role of Ethics and Administrative Discretion in Contemporary Higher Education" Public Integrity 26, no. 1 (2024): 23–39.

Considers how faculty members exercise judgment and discretion as they implement policies and make decisions that affect students and institutions. Suggests that ethical considerations play a central role in how faculty navigate administrative responsibilities, shaping the real-world impact of higher education policies and practices.

Name, Image, and Likeness Policies: Institutional Impact and States Responses (with Daniel Mallinson). (Routledge, 2024).

Investigates how name, image, and likeness (NIL) policies have reshaped college athletics and created new challenges for higher education institutions and policymakers. Reveals that differing state responses and regulatory approaches have produced a complex landscape that influences athlete opportunities, institutional decision-making, and competitive balance.