Kathy Powers ’89

If you want to know something about international relations – trade, war crime tribunals, and/or world politics – just ask Kathy Powers ’89. Assistant professor of political science at the University of New Mexico, Powers teaches both graduate and undergraduate students. In her research, she examines the role of institutional design in international relations.

 

Powers traces her interest in international relations to her history and government classes at Gilmour, and her interaction with students from around the world. “It was conversations with teachers that showed me there was a world of possibility outside Gilmour’s walls,” she says, adding that she misses Gilmour’s beautiful campus and is impressed with the additions made since she graduated.

 

The National Honor Society student notes that her participation in the Foreign Language Club, the Art Club, The Lance, and basketball at the Academy challenged her to learn how to manage multiple interests. “My sisters and I were involved in many activities at Gilmour, and I think the education there produces well-rounded students,” she says. Her sister Adrienne ’86 now works in design management for Kraft Foods in Chicago, Illinois, and Tara ’90 is a regional vice president for Chubb Insurance Company in Detroit, Michigan.

 

After graduating from Gilmour, Powers majored in political science and international studies at Northwestern University, earning her bachelor’s degree. She holds master’s degrees from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and The Ohio State University, where she also obtained a Ph.D. She has taught at Pennsylvania State University and the University of Arizona, where she received several teaching awards and the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Distinguished Leadership Award. Powers has served on review panels for the National Science Foundation, The American Journal of Political Science, and The Journal of Politics, among others.

 

Living in Albuquerque has been enjoyable for Powers, who names movies, reading, running, and playing basketball as her pastimes. Over the years, she has learned that balance is important and difficult to achieve. “I enjoy my career, and working hard is very important,” she says, “but other aspects of life are equally important.” In early July Kathy married Sheldon Jordon.