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Edafese (George) Alakpa

PhD, DSc, FIBMS, CSci
Director and Advisor on Military Affairs and Policy
American Military Families Immigration Service

Dr. Edafese (George) Alakpa grew up under a military dictatorship in Nigeria. His passion is the pursuit of education, global security and freedom for all -- and especially for the less privileged -- via science, research and advocacy. When Dr. Alakpa entered Â鶹´«Ã½'s doctoral program in Civil Security Leadership, Management and Policy, he had two challenges. One was adjusting to the impact of combat on his psyche and body post service in the United States Army. The second was "entering a unique program that was still being developed by highly dedicated academics and professionals in the field." Dr. Alakpa was particularly interested in the doctoral program because it matched his goals and he realized "the program extended past the professors and to fellow doctoral candidates in my Learning Community. We shared a desire to succeed in our studies and to advance our field."

Dr. Alakpa focused his doctoral dissertation on bioterrorism. His research was timely and innovative, which resulted in consulting with the FBI at the peak of the Ebola incident in the United States. After earning his DSc, Dr. Alakpa has served as a faculty member at multiple universities and mentors over 20 graduates and post-graduate students globally.

The DSc program propelled Dr. Alakpa's career because, in his words, "The Â鶹´«Ã½ doctoral program gave me better analytical and critical analysis capabilities and improved my ability to assess issues or situations related to national security and the role of civil citizens in achieving the best possible overall state of national security."

Currently, Dr. Alakpa is the Director and Advisor for Military Affairs with the American Military Families Immigration Services, Inc. He is a retired United States Army combat veteran, a board member of Hamburg City Board of Health, and Board of Land Uses and Planning. Dr. Alakpa has received numerous academic and military awards throughout his career.

Dr. Alakpa's advice to perspective doctoral students is to "be ready and willing to do the tough work required from any doctoral student. Doctorial programs require tenacity and -- most importantly -- the strong desire to accomplish the mission of producing an authentic contribution to knowledge, with integrity and honesty."