Rate My Professor Jack Mangala

Jack R. Mangala is a distinguished professor of Interdisciplinary Studies and Political Science at Grand Valley State University (GVSU). He has held significant leadership roles at the institution, including serving as the inaugural director of the School of Interdisciplinary Studies within the Brooks College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Previously, he chaired the Area and Global Studies Department, directed the African and African American Studies Program, and led Area Studies. Prior to his academic career, Mangala worked as a public prosecutor and was a NATO-EAPC fellow. He also completed post-doctoral research at the University of Michigan Law School. Mangala holds a Ph.D. in Law (2000), an M.A. in Political Science and International Relations (1995), and an LL.M. in European and International Law (1994), all from the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium.

Professor Mangala's research centers on the nexus between international law and human security, diaspora engagement policy, and Africa's international relations, particularly with the EU, US, and China. His expertise encompasses international refugee and asylum law, migration law and policy, African politics, global governance, and EU politics. He has made substantial contributions through edited volumes published by Palgrave Macmillan, including "The Politics of Challenging Presidential Term Limits in Africa" (2020), which examines debates on term limits amid global authoritarian trends; "Africa and its Global Diaspora: The Policy and Politics of Emigration" (2017), analyzing state-diaspora relations; "Africa and the European Union: A Strategic Partnership" (2013), investigating the Joint Africa-EU Strategy; "New Security Threats and Crises in Africa" (2010), addressing regional and international perspectives; and "Africa and the New World Era: From Humanitarianism to a Strategic View" (2010), exploring shifts in global views of Africa. Mangala's scholarly impact is recognized by the GVSU Distinguished Contribution in a Discipline Award (2021) for his work in African politics. Additional honors include the Louvain Global College of Law Fellowship (2018), Padnos/Sarosik Endowed Professor of Civil Discourse (2015-2017), Outstanding Teaching in Political Science Award (2011), and Pew Teaching Excellence Award (2010).