Rula Jabbour

Dr. Rula Jabbour is originally from Syria and arrived in the USA in 2004 on a State Department Scholarship, awarded to only one of the top students in college in Syria. In 2006, Rula graduated from the University of Nebraska at Omaha with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science with a minor in sociology. In 2009, Rula finished her master’s degree at the University of Nebraska Omaha in political science. Throughout these years, Rula worked hard to earn high grades and was awarded many academic honors and certificates of achievement due to her outstanding academic and social service. In 2011 Rula was honored to join the Political Science Department at the University of Nebraska at Lincoln as a Ph.D. student in International Relations. Due to her academic performance, she was awarded a research assistantship, and upon completion she is now an assistant professor at Nebraska Wesleyan University. Dr. Jabbour has presented her many research projects at a variety of academic and professional conferences domestically and internationally. Additionally, Dr. Jabbour was part of a collaborative effort headed by Professor Alice Kang that is currently working on women’s role in high courts worldwide. In 2015, Dr. Jabbour was awarded the student-elected Certificate of Recognition for Contributions to students awarded by the Teaching Council of UNL and the University Parents Association. Dr. Jabbour’s current research focuses on identifying the causes and consequences of the recent political turmoil in the Middle East. More specifically, understanding why the numerous democratization efforts in the Middle East have failed to produce democratic institutions. This research broadens knowledge in the areas of comparative politics, international relations, and political theory. In addition to the role of the military in the governance of the Middle East and causes of terrorism in the region and beyond.