Dr. Mark Hamilton, PhD

Professor & Faculty Coordinator

Dr. Mark Hamilton, originally of Rochester, New York and Concord, Michigan, received his B.A. in Spanish from Taylor University, where he graduated summa cum laude. He later earned his M.A. in International Development and Ph.D. in International Relations at American University. While pursuing his graduate studies, Dr. Hamilton received several awards recognizing outstanding research and teaching in his field. His doctoral dissertation, honored with distinction, examined why and how young people are mobilized into violent and non-violent movements, grounded by Dr. Hamilton’s systems modeling and diverse field experiences in Latin America, South Asia, and Middle East. 

Dr. Mark Hamilton now serves as an inaugural member of the Inter-American Defense College’s permanent faculty. Core academic courses developed and taught at IADC include Multidimensional Security in the Americas and Conflict Analysis and Resolution. He also provides instructional and advisory support for the annual Faculty and Staff Orientation, Advanced Research and Writing Workshop, and targeted study trips and student academic seminars. Professor Hamilton conducts his classes at the College in Spanish and English, reflecting to some extent the linguistic diversity that characterizes this unique international educational institution.

Prior to his current faculty role, Dr. Hamilton served at the IADC for several years as an academic consultant and visiting professor, contributing to strategic updates of the academic curriculum and related program developments. He helped to introduce a more active teaching methodology at the College and organize joint academic seminars in collaboration with the Committee on Hemispheric Security and the Secretariat of Multidimensional Security of the Organization of American States (OAS).

Outside the IADC, Professor Hamilton has taught graduate and professional courses at American University, among other institutions, and has developed significant expertise facilitating workshops for senior-level officials. He was selected as keynote speaker for a UNESCO forum in Paris and has consulted for diverse inter-governmental, non-profit, and academic institutions on themes including curriculum design, program evaluation, conflict analysis and peacebuilding, youth engagement, cyber security, and security sector reform.

Professor Hamilton is a member of the International Studies Association and American Political Science Association, among other professional groups, and has served on the advisory board for multiple education and youth-focused foundations and non-profits. He publishes actively, and has presented his research at several global conferences.