Dr. Conny Kazungu grew up in Kenya, developing interests in International Relations and Politics due to personal experiences with terrorist attacks in her hometown.  She has a diverse academic background including a Masters Degree in Environmental Sciences from Miami University, Ohio. While at Miami, Conny focused on Environmental Policy including the role of interest groups. She also worked closely with various projects including educating local communities on the importance of wetland restoration projects. Conny completed her education with a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. While at Tennessee, in the global Security Program, Conny engaged in various research and policy projects for different government agencies including conflict stabilization, which aims to train mediation practices in international war zones. She has researched conflict and territorial disputes --where governments make claims about other governments about territory in East Asia, Africa and the Middle-East. In her policy relevant dissertation, Conny researched the causes for rising terrorism in Africa. Including the role of the United States in establishing effective Counterterrorism policies in that region. Conny teaches classes in International Relations, National Security, Public Policy, Environmental Policy and Politics.