CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Leaders of the West Virginia University Eberly College of Arts and Sciences are coming to Charleston to discuss the impact of the presidential election and what it means for the direction the country is headed in.

The "Beyond Red and Blue: A Closer Look at the 2012 Elections" panel discussion, set for Nov. 27, is the inaugural session of a new Eberly Ideas series.

The panel will feature political scientists Scott Crichlow and Patrick Hickey, communication studies professor Elizabeth Cohen and public administration professor Karen Kunz.

Topics will include the impact of technology on the elections and what's next for the nation's political landscape.

"We're going to talk about what happened and why, and we're going to open it up to the public. People will be able to ask questions about politics in West Virginia and the country," said Eberly College Dean Robert Jones.

Crichlow is WVU's political science department chairman and is the author of several publications focusing on foreign policy and political psychology.

Hickey has dedicated his research to how presidents build winning legislative coalitions in congress and has experience analyzing voting behaviors.

Kunz has 25 years of experience in the investment industry and has a focus in public budgeting and political economy.

Cohen studies the use of social media and its impact on society.

The new discussion series is an extension of the Eberly College's efforts to connect more with its Charleston alumni. The Charleston area is home to the largest concentration of alumni for the college.

"We're coming here each semester and bringing our faculty expertise to strengthen our relationship with our alumni and get people engaged in current event discussions," Jones said.

The Eberly College, which offers majors from biology and chemistry to English and economics, is working under a new strategic plan and has added 40 new faculty members this year -- a 10 percent increase to its staff.

The event will begin at 7 p.m. in the grand ballroom of the Charleston Women's Club. To RSVP, email E...@mail.wvu.edu.

Reach Mackenzie Mays at mackenzie.m...@wvgazette.com or 304-348-4814.