Chloe Erno
News Editor
Former professor at American University’s School of International Service, Dr. Jeffrey Bachman has stepped up as the new endowed chair for HGS. As endowed chair, Bachman’s position is endorsed solely by the Cohen Institute endowment.
Bachman worked for American University for 13 years, where he served as an associate professor in the Department of Peace, Human Rights and Cultural Relations before coming to Keene State. Bachman held the position of faculty director for the American University International Relations Society.
Bachman also has experience with Amnesty International, a worldwide organization and movement based around human rights. From 2002 to 2003, he worked with them on government relations for Russia.
Bachman reflected on the work he has written in the field, and on his new book.
“The most recent one is the Harry Potter and Genocide book,” Bachman said. “It introduces students to the study of genocide through the world of Harry Potter. So, I apply some of the key emerging concepts in genocide studies to things that happened in Harry Potter.”
Bachman expressed his hopes for Keene State going forward.
“I’m very excited to be here,” Bachman said. “I’m still kinda getting the feel for the program and the department, but I have incredible colleagues and I think with some energy behind the department that it’ll grow. I know there’s a course on the United Nations and genocide that’s already on the books that I hope to teach, and bring a little focus on genocide studies, as well as among Keene students, to the role of the United States.”
Bachman will be teaching the introductory class to Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and is currently creating a course on Harry Potter and genocide. He will also be teaching the United States and Genocide class, and will be bringing a course with him from American University called International Politics and Genocide.
Kirsti Sandy, provost and vice president for academic affairs, praised Bachman.
“He was one of the applicants for the position that we had of Cohen endowed chair,” Sandy said. “And he was just outstanding. The thing that makes him a great fit for our HGS program is that he is a leader in the field.”
Sandy also stated that Keene State will be hosting a book launch to celebrate Bachman’s book, Harry Potter and Genocide, on Nov. 17.
“I’m really excited because he comes with a lot of ideas,” Sandy said. “He comes to the program with energy, he likes working with other people, he’s really social. Already, the faculty in that department are a solid team. They’re working together to think about the future of the program. I’m really excited to see what this team will do together.”
Sandy said that Ashley Greene, the former HGS department chair, left for a position in Florida, where she will be closer to her family.
“I met with her this summer, and she was very sad about leaving Keene State,” Sandy said. “She loved the students. Loved working with her colleagues. But she felt that for her and her family, it was the right decision at this time. We all miss her.”
Chloe Erno can be contacted at
cerno@kscequinox.com
