Priscilla H. M. Zotti is a visiting professor at the Institute of American Civics. Zotti is the former Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at the United States Naval Academy, where she was a Professor of Political Science teaching classes in constitutional law, federalism, criminal justice, and civil rights and civil liberties. From 2011 to 2014 she served as Chair of the Political Science Department, leading 35 civilian and military faculty and managing about 350 Midshipmen studying in the major. In 2012, she was elected by her peers to serve as the Chair of Chairs, representing the leaders of the 19 academic departments in administrative matters.  In 2014, she was selected as the Associate Dean of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences.  Akin to an Assistant Dean of a university college, Zotti was the civilian faculty leader assisting and advising the School Dean who is a rotational military officer.  The Humanities and Social Sciences School is one of three academic divisions staffed by approximately 200 civilian and military professors.  In addition, a third of the Brigade of Midshipman major in one of the five departments of the Humanities and Social Sciences — Economics, English, History, Languages and Cultures, and Political Science.

Zotti received her Bachelor of Arts in political science and history from Baylor University where she also received a Master of Arts in political science.  She received her Ph.D. from The University of Texas at Austin in law and political science. Zotti’s publications cover a wide range of topics, from judicial review, comparative search and seizure law, rehabilitation in military and civilian prisons, criminal sanctions and punishment. Her book Injustice for All:  Mapp v. Ohio focuses on search and seizure law and the Fourth Amendment. Zotti’s most recent work on the Origination Clause of the United States Constitution has been cited prominently in the health care litigation regarding the Affordable Care Act before the D.C. Court of Appeals and the United States Supreme Court. Zotti has been interviewed on public radio and in a series of videos produced for academic audiences on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.