His research explores historical and modern topics involving academic freedom, campus speech, university administration, and faculty unionization. In this work, he seeks to understand the development of modern policies and structures, as well as the experiences of students and faculty in trying situations. Tim teaches courses on the foundations of higher education, college students, diversity in higher education, and the changing college curriculum. Prior to arriving at the University of Illinois, he earned degrees at the University of Michigan (Ph.D., higher education), The Ohio State University (M.A., higher education and student affairs), and Duke University (B.A., history and art history).