"Sometime in high school I became interested in politics," he said. "I was never quite clear what I wanted to do, but politics fascinated me. But after working in political jobs for several years I decided that I would rather study and teach politics than actually do it."

Holyoke received his bachelor’s degree from Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, in 1992. He worked in Iowa politics for a few years, and then enrolled at Syracuse University in New York to earn a master’s degree. He worked in New York politics at the State Senate in Albany for another three years.

Then it was back to grad school – this time to work on a Ph.D. at The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. His first academic job was at Hastings College in Nebraska.

In 2005, he came to Fresno State, and he doesn't think life could get any better.

"Honestly I cannot imagine a better career than being a university professor," he said. "I have enormous freedom to pursue my research interests in whatever direction I want, and I enjoy teaching a great deal."

Holyoke takes his teaching very seriously.

"If my students learn things they did not know before, are inspired to further improve themselves and find good employment, then that becomes my most valuable accomplishment," he said. "A student telling me how much they valued the material I taught them, and how it helped them in life, is absolutely the best compliment a professor can get. That is what makes all of the work worthwhile."

In 2007, Holyoke joined the Academic Senate, which creates policies for the University with the support of the president. In 2014, he was elected vice chair.

"I am part of the inner workings of the senate and about as involved as one can be in making policy for the University," he said. "I am also responsible for recruiting faculty to serve on the many committees that make the University work."

Holyoke sits at the same table as President Castro and Provost Zelezny and gives them his opinion – which sometimes might be critical. He said he has found both to be very sensitive to faculty concerns.

Because of his expertise in politics, he sometimes talks to media outlets locally and beyond, including the Los Angeles Times, the Financial Times, the Wall Street Journal and the San Francisco Chronicle. Once, he even commented for the Guardian, a British paper.

"I am in no way required to do the political commentary," he said. "I just do that for fun. Local media often call the University looking for expert opinions on political issues, and I enjoy responding."

Holyoke is also engaged in various research projects.

"My specialty is interest groups and lobbying," he said, "and I have published many research articles and three books on the topic. I am also lead researcher for the Henry Madden Library's oral water history project, which has been a lot of fun."

He also is a member of the personnel committee for the College of Social Sciences. When he’s not working, Holyoke also enjoys singing in the Fresno Master Chorale. When he moved to Fresno, one of the first things he did was look around for a community chorus.

"Everybody should have something to do that is not in any way connected to their job, just as a way to mentally relax," he said. "I have sung in choirs every year since I was five. I find it to be wonderfully relaxing and often very inspiring, especially since everybody else in the chorale feels the same way."

Dr. Holyoke is impressed with the ensemble.

"We have incredible talented singers in the chorus, many of whom are retired Fresno State professors," he said. "Our director is absolutely incredible – Fresno State's own Dr. Anna Hamre. What a treasure!"

Holyoke and his partner, Dr. Melanie Ram, also a political science professor at Fresno State, have two black cats: Skoshi and Tabu.

Besides singing, Holyoke loves hiking in the Sierra Nevada. He even indulges a little in the fruits of viticulture.

"I have really become interested in tasting California wines!" he said.