The Savannah City Council recently appointed Armstrong State University Political Science Professor Dr. José de Arimatéia da Cruz to the Greater Savannah International Alliance for a three-year term. As a board member, da Cruz will contribute his knowledge of international relations and politics, encourage citywide participation in GSIA activities, direct initiatives and seek out viable opportunities to expand Savannah’s global reach.
 
The board offers economic development assistance to the Mayor and the City Council in their efforts to make Savannah an international city and a welcoming community of culturally informed individuals that is not only a beautiful place to visit, but also an ideal location to conduct business. Board members include Armstrong’s director of International Education, the president of the Savannah Council on World Affairs, the director of World Trade Center Savannah and other local leaders.
 
A 2015-2016 Governor’s Teaching Fellow, da Cruz has a Ph.D. in Political Science with a concentration in International Relations and Comparative Politics, an M.A. in Political Science and Political Philosophy from Miami University in Ohio, an M.A. in Professional Communication and Leadership from Armstrong State University and an M.S. in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Cyber Affairs and Security from Armstrong State University.
 
A faculty member at Armstrong since 2003, da Cruz also serves as an adjunct research professor for the U.S. Army War College. His research interests include global cybersecurity, international relations, Latin American and African foreign policy and national security.