About Me

Greetings!

I think it's important to remember that the people we work with (and learn from) are human beings ... human beings with lives that extend well beyond classroom and office walls. In that spirit, here's a bit of information about me:

First, I've been a proud member of the Texas Tech University Department of History's faculty since 2007. I teach introductory courses in Texas and American history, as well as upper-division and graduate courses in modern American politics. My research focuses on political culture in the modern Sunbelt - essentially a post-1945 fusion of the South and West. In addition to my teaching and research roles, I also serve as Associate Dean for Administrative Affairs for the College of Arts & Sciences, after having served nine years as Chair of the Department of History.

Believe it or not, this is my dream job. That may sound dramatic, but it's true, largely because of my background with Texas Tech, and my family's.

I was born in 1977, in Dallas, Texas, to a family rich in Red Raider traditions. My grandfather (J. Pat) was born on February 10, 1923, the same day then-Governor of Texas, Pat Neff, signed Texas Tech into existence. Since then, my Cunningham family has boasted five generations of die-hard Red Raiders. I officially joined that list as a TTU freshman in Fall 1995, before graduating in 1999 with a B.A. in Public Relations. Three years later, I completed a M.A. in History and a M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration, both through Texas Tech. Then, from 2003 to 2007, I pursued and completed a Ph.D. in American History at the University of Florida. 

All that said, my top priorities in life are my faith and my family. Like many Texans, I was raised in what I call a "culturally Christian" home. However, despite semi-regular church attendance, spirituality played virtually no role in my life until I was 18. To that point, I had always viewed religion as little more than a series of boxes to check ... task to perform, rules to follow, and traditions to keep. However, all of that changed in January 1996 - my freshman at Texas Tech. Until then, I had never known - and I mean personally and truly "known" - the grace-initiated work of forgiveness, redemption, and salvation that I believe comes through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Yes, I had lived a reasonably “good life” up to that point. But when life got hard – (and it got very hard from 1995 to 1997) – it was Christ through the Gospel – (very literally the “Good News”) –  that sustained me, carried me forward, and changed my life. Galatians 2:20 happened to me.

Other than my salvation, the best thing that has ever happened to me was marrying my best friend, Laura, in 2005. She and I first met in Gainesville while I was working on my doctorate at the University of Florida, where she was on staff working with Campus Crusade for Christ. After we moved to Lubbock in 2007, Laura pursued her M.Ed. in Counselor Education from Texas Tech, graduating in 2010. She is now a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) working in private practice. Originally from New Jersey, my beautiful wife is also an amazing mother to our two daughters. The four of us now attend Redeemer Church here in Lubbock.

Finally, please know that my goal in sharing this "About Me" page is simple: encouragement.

In other words ...

I want my students and colleagues to see me as approachable. I'm here to help. Getting to know people can be challenging at an institution as big as Texas Tech, but whenever possible, I like to try. And of course, I encourage my students to get to know me, as well as their other instructors. I like to think I still have a pretty good understanding of what it's like to be a college student. I know it can be tough. I also know it can be a time of tremendous experimentation, joy, frustration, aimlessness, depression, uncertainty, and excitement. Life is challenging. But it's less challenging when you're not facing it alone. I like helping people. In fact, helping people is the main reason I chose this profession. I certainly hope my students and colleagues think of me as a good teacher and scholar, but I'd rather be known as a person who genuinely cares for others.

So ... please feel free to contact me by phone or email, or stop by my office, should you ever need anything, or even if you just want to say hello and introduce yourself. To the best of my limited ability, I'll always be happy to help in any way that I can.

All the best!

Sean