Saint Leo University Launches New Polling Institute

SAINT LEO, Fla., Dec. 9, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Saint Leo University today announced the creation of the Saint Leo University Polling Institute. The polls' findings, on a national scale, will be released quarterly beginning in mid-December. Survey topics for the initial poll will include themes related to national politics, Florida politics, religion in politics, holiday consumer culture, and the impact of technology on our lives.

"Many individuals have put a lot of time and effort into preparing to launch the institute," said Arthur F. Kirk, Jr., president of Saint Leo University. "We think we are well-positioned to offer a unique perspective on issues of national and regional interest."

The state of Florida continues to be a microcosm both demographically and politically of national trends. In addition, pollsters continue to examine Florida as a key battleground state in national elections. The Saint Leo University Polling Institute surveys will include oversamples of Florida voters.

Drew Gold, associate professor of management, has been appointed the polling institute's executive director. Dr. Gold will lead faculty and staff on selecting topics for upcoming polls and manage the day-to-day activities of the polling institute.

Dr. Gold earned his undergraduate degree in finance from The Ohio State University and a Ph.D. in strategy from UNC Chapel Hill. Before joining Saint Leo's Donald R. Tapia School of Business, he recently served on the faculty at the University of South Carolina's Darla Moore School of Business in its management science department for four years.  Dr. Gold has worked  with various size companies for the last 20 years, advising them on a variety of strategic, technology, and management-related issues.

"The new Saint Leo University Polling Institute is an exciting endeavor," said Drew Gold, executive director of the polling institute. "Examining consumers' opinions on politics and technology, as well as variety of seasonal, timely topics, should prove to be an interesting undertaking. We hope, through the combination of the poll results and the expertise of our faculty, to provide some very interesting insight on these subjects."

The full results will be made available on the polling institute's website.  Follow us @SaintLeoPolls.

Saint Leo University is working with the Center for Research and Public Policy to administer the polling. Detailed results from Saint Leo's first poll will be released on December 11.

SOURCE Saint Leo University