Dr. Cynthia Watson

Professor Emerita, National War College

Provost Emerita, National Defense University

Dr. Cynthia A. Watson joined the Faculty of the National War College in August 1992, serving as Dean of Faculty & Academic Programs from March 2018 through July 2021 when she assumed the Interim Provost position for the National Defense University. Dr. Watson taught across the curriculum and served in academic leadership roles across the College over her twenty-nine years there. Dr. Watson earned a MA from the London School of Economics, and a PhD from the University of Notre Dame. Her undergraduate alma mater, University of Missouri Kansas City, honored her as Alumna of the Year in 2011.

She is an expert in the Asia-Pacific and Latin American regions. She is currently on the Boards of Directors for the National Bureau of Asian Research and the National War College Alumni Association. She is also a member of both the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the Society for Military History. Her first edition (2002) of U.S. National Security received CHOICE’s designation as a Book of the Year. Other publications include Nation-Building, U.S. Military Service, Military Education, US National Security (2nd edition), Political Role of the Military (co-edited with Constantine Danopoulos), _Interest Groups in National Security, and_ Geographic Combatant Commands. Dr. Watson has functional expertise in curriculum development; economic/political history; strategic foundations; and professional military education. She reads bilingually in Spanish and English for Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic.

Dr. Watson is a keen photographer and calligrapher. She writes Actions Create Consequences at https: //CynthiaWatson.substack.com