Director of Global Studies
Hello and welcome! I am Dr. Marat Akopian, Director of the Global Studies B.A. program at Shepherd University, housed within the Department of Political Science, Global Studies, and Geography. As director, I coordinate scheduling, advising, and an array of other tasks for the program. My office is on the third floor of White Hall, 319. You are welcome to make appointments with me to discuss program requirements, courses, advising, careers, and any other aspect of the program. Advising responsibilities for this program are spread among the department faculty. If you do not have an advisor, complete the necessary paperwork to be assigned an advisor or contact me for assistance.
My own education and employment background have spanned several countries and continents. I have a BA/MA degree in Russian Language and Literature from Tbilisi State University in Georgia (former Soviet Republic), a Master’s in Political Science from Central European University in Budapest, Hungary, and a PhD in Political Science from Rutgers University (New Brunswick, NJ). Prior to joining Shepherd in 2018, I had taught political science at several universities and colleges in Canada (I am a Canadian national), the United States, and Georgia, including the University of Calgary, Rutgers University, and my alma mater, Tbilisi State University. I have presented my scholarly work at various national and international conferences including the Association for the Study of the Nationalities (the premier global association of scholars of nationalism) and the Canadian Political Science Association.
As a former interpreter/translator (I have another Master’s degree in Translation and Interpretation and several years of experience working for the IMF mission in Moscow), I will encourage our Global Studies majors to focus on the development of their proficiency in a foreign language. Personally, I will be glad to supervise students who already have an elementary proficiency in Russian in coordination with the Department of English and Modern Languages.
You are welcome to stop by my office, White Hall 319, or to email me, Dr. Marat Akopian, at makopian@shepherd.edu