Christopher Jackson is a MAEUS and FLAS alumni who graduated from the program in 2015. 

Did you receive any awards or honors during your time in the program? (FLAS, Fulbright, other scholarships, etc…)

FLAS 2014-15

What is your current position/job title?

Faculty Instructor (Teaching Professor) of International Relations, Loyola Marymount University

Please provide a brief overview of what you have done academically and/or professionally since graduating from the MAEUS program.

I worked as an international advisor at Parkland College in Champaign from 2015-17. I then completed a PhD in Political Science at Georgia State University (Atlanta) in 2022 with a dissertation titled 'Peacemakers, Patrons, & Politics: How International Mediation Leads to LocalLevel Change in Protracted Conflicts' that examined the reflexive role of international conflict resolution and domestic political development in the Cyprus and Kosovo conflicts. In 2022 I began working as a Visiting Assistant Professor at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, teaching International Relations, the Politics of the Global Economy, and the Politics of Peace. I was then hired as full time faculty in 2023. Since 2019 I have published 7 articles on conflict resolution and ethnic politics in the shadow of international relations.

How has the MAEUS program helped you in your current career?

The MAEUS program was very helpful in allowing me to explore academic topics of interest from a multi-disciplinary perspective and focus my own interests towards an academic career. When I began my PhD, I already had experience researching and writing and a general topic of interest.

Do you have any advice or suggestions for current students in the MAEUS program?

Use the opportunity to explore a variety of topics and interests across different academic units and disciplines, especially with the resources and events available on Illinois' campus.