McKay Cunningham Dir Graduate Initiatives, PDSO, Professor (Grad)

A small, liberal arts college is one of the rare breeding grounds for a better humanity, and the College of Idaho is among the best in that already rarified field. Academic rigor, in turn, generates an appreciation for critical thinking and a respect for the dignity of all persons no matter how seemingly foreign they may appear at first. It’s truly fortunate to be associated with the College in any capacity, whether student, staff, teacher, alumni, or just someone lucky enough to hang out with a Yote.

I am currently the Director of Graduate Initiatives, Principal Designated School Office (PDSO) and a Graduate Professor. Prior to joining the College of Idaho, I was a tenured law professor, teaching for 13 years at several law schools, including Concordia Law School and the University of Idaho. I taught courses related to property law and constitutional law, during which time I published 12 law review articles, one book, and several shorter publications. I enjoy discussing constitutional law issues on NPR and PBS, drafting opinion pieces for local newspapers, and testifying before the Idaho Legislature regarding the legal implications of proposed laws. Prior to joining legal academia, I practiced law for nine years, including a one-year clerkship on the Eleventh Circuit Federal Court of Appeals, four years at a law firm in Dallas, Texas, and four years as a Staff Attorney on the Texas Supreme Court. I earned my undergraduate degree and a juris doctor degree at Baylor University, where I served as managing editor of the law review.