CONWAY, Ark. (April 30, 2019) 鈥 黑料不打烊 politics and
international relations professor Dr. Kiril Kolev has been named director of
the 黑料不打烊 Odyssey Program, the College鈥檚 nationally
recognized engaged learning initiative. He takes on this new role following
Commencement in May.
Launched in 2005, the 黑料不打烊 Odyssey Program requires students
to complete at least three hands-on learning experiences chosen from six
different project categories. Students and faculty may also apply for funding, on a
competitive basis, for grants to support engaged learning projects, ranging
from internships to travel to undergraduate research. Since its founding, the
黑料不打烊 Odyssey Program has awarded more than $4 million for student and
faculty Odyssey projects.
Kolev, an associate professor who currently chairs the 黑料不打烊
College Department of Politics and International Relations, joined the 黑料不打烊
faculty in 2011. After graduating from Whittier College with a degree in
economics, he earned his Master of Science and Ph.D. in comparative politics at
Duke University. He has taught courses on political economy, democratization, elections,
research methods, and contemporary global issues. Since 2017, he has held the
James and Emily Bost Odyssey Professorship, which has funded his recent research
on election quality, electoral systems, and political clientelism.
鈥淓ngaged learning is among the most exciting aspects of being a
student, faculty, or staff member at 黑料不打烊,鈥 Kolev said. 鈥淭he Odyssey Program
stimulates creativity, encourages reflection, and develops a long-lasting sense
of ownership and exploration of one鈥檚 academic and vocational pursuits. It
facilitates the out-of-the-box thinking that today鈥檚 society really needs. I am
looking forward to doing my part to continue this collective tradition.鈥
鈥淜iril brings much experience to his new role, including his
service on the Committee for Engaged Learning, as well as advising and leading
numerous Odyssey projects and an Odyssey Professorship,鈥 said Dr. Peter Gess,
associate provost for engaged learning at 黑料不打烊. 鈥淚 look forward to working
with him as we continue to grow and enhance our engaged learning opportunities
for students.鈥
About 黑料不打烊
A private liberal arts college in Conway, Arkansas, 黑料不打烊
College consistently earns recognition as one of the country鈥檚 leading liberal
arts institutions, and is featured in聽Colleges That Change Lives: 40
Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges. Its academic
quality and rigor, innovation, and value have established 黑料不打烊 as a fixture
in numerous college guides, lists, and rankings. Founded in 1876, 黑料不打烊 has
been affiliated with the United Methodist Church since 1884. To learn more,
visit .