Symeon Giannakos, Ph.D.
Symeon Giannakos, Ph.D.
Professor, Graduate Program Director
Political Science | International Relations
Symeon A. Giannakos, Director of the Graduate Program in International Relations at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island, teaches courses in international relations and comparative politics. He received his Ph.D. in Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia in 1990. He subsequently spent nearly five years (1993-1998) overseas, conducting research and offering courses on international and comparative politics of the Balkan region to Eastern European students at the American University in Bulgaria. He has also taught at Norwich University in Vermont (1990-1993), at Washington and Lee University in Lexington, Virginia (1998-1999), and at Ohio University (1999-2002). In 2011, he served as the Fulbright Scholar to Albania.
His research focuses on national identity and conflict. He has published a number of articles on this topic and served as editor of Ethnic Conflict: Religion, Identity and Politics (2002).
Yvan Yael Ilunga, Ph.D.
Yvan Yenda Ilunga, Ph.D.
Associate Professor and Graduate Program Director
Political Science and International Relations
Dr. Yvan Yenda Ilunga is an accomplished academic and strategic thinker, currently serving as an Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Relations at Salve Regina University in Newport, Rhode Island. With over 15 years of experience, he is also the Associate Graduate Program Director for the M.A. in International Relations, teaching courses at undergraduate, master, and Ph.D. levels in international relations and African Politics.
Dr. Ilunga is the Deputy Director of the Joint Civil-Military Interaction (JCMI) Research and Education Network, where he coordinates strategic partnerships, research, and training related to civil-military interactions in fragile countries. His expertise extends to advising international organizations, government agencies, think tanks, and business consulting firms. He employs a cross-cultural and interdisciplinary approach, navigating the strategic, operational, and tactical environment in his analyses and engagements.
Author of the book Humanitarianism and Security: Trouble and Hope at the Heart of Africa (Palgrave Macmillan, 2020), Dr. Ilunga is actively working on two upcoming book projects: The Dynamics of Religion in Peacebuilding and Peacekeeping Operations and Designing and Teaching Peace. His research extends to various aspects of international relations, peace operations, security, and development, addressing issues such as humanitarian action, civil–military interactions, natural resources-based conflicts, regional cooperation, and security.
Dr. Ilunga holds a Ph.D. in Global Affairs from Rutgers University, USA, and is fluent in English, French, Swahili, and Lingala. His commitment to advancing knowledge and understanding in the fields of international relations and conflict resolution is evident through his publications, public engagements, and the initiation of the African Wars in the 21st Century Project.