Dr. Cynthia A. Watson culminated a thirty year career at National Defense University in June 2022 and was awarded the title of Professor Emerita as a tribute to her decades long service to Professional Military Education. 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. Dr. Watson taught all aspects of the curriculum and served in academic leadership roles across the College over her twenty-nine years there. She served early in her career in positions in the legislative branch. Dr. Watson earned an 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. Educated as an area studies scholar in Latin America and Asia, Dr. Watson also has functional expertise in strategic foundations, economic/political history and professional military education. Her passion is expanding understanding of our craft to a wider swath of fellow citizens. The first edition (2002) of U.S. National Security received CHOICE's designation as a Book of the Year. Other publications include Military Education, US National
Security (2nd edition), and Combatant Commands among her ten books. Dr. Watson has served on the Governing Boards of several professional organizations and the Editorial Board of Third World Quarterly. Dr. Watson serves as a special advisor to the Society for International Business Fellows and remains a member of multiple professional societies. Dr. Watson is certified as a bilingual reader for the Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic.