Bio

Molly O’Connor is an instructor and PhD candidate in education, specializing in Black internationalism in education. Her transdisciplinary research agenda examines how U.S. college campuses have historically served as sites of civic education and examines the international transmission of social movements and political ideas through leaders in education. Her current project looks specifically at the role of African American college presidents at Historically Black Colleges and Universities in the early 20th century.

One of Molly’s goals as a scholar is to introduce students to global perspectives through campus programming and accessible study abroad programs.

She is a member of the History of Education Society, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, and American Educational Research Association.

For more information on her research interests or teaching experience, please visit those respective pages.

MORE ABOUT MOLLY
A proud Oklahoma native, Molly has lived and worked in Washington, DC, Princeton, NJ, and Philadelphia, PA, in addition to work and research abroad in India, Nepal, Thailand, and South Africa. She is a proud graduate of the University of Dallas, where she earned her BA in political philosophy (classical and American) with concentrations in International Studies and French. Her love of learning only grew at UD and encouraged her next step, an MA in International Politics with concentrations in International Organizations and Social Political Theory from top-ten-ranked American University School of International Service.

Her professional experience includes non-profit communications, fundraising, and community outreach. In her work and spare time, she has helped non-profits by conducting and authoring program evaluation reports, establishing new partnerships, editing content for publication, managing college internship programs, writing articles and editorials, designing website and print materials, and planning large-scale events (i.e., fundraising galas, leadership workshops, spiritual/personal development retreats).

When not in the library, classroom, or administrative meetings, Molly enjoys chasing her active children, traveling to see family, volunteering for community organizations, reading, traveling, and exploring her adopted home state, Pennsylvania. Molly serves on the board of directors for the Philadelphia Women’s Theatre Festival, a non-profit dedicated to creating opportunities for women in theatre.