The University of St. Thomas has named Dr. Hans Stockton as the director of the Center for International Studies and Cullen Trust for Higher Education/ Fayez Sarofim Chair in International Studies.

A native Houstonian, Stockton joined the UST faculty in 2002. Under his direction, the Study Abroad Program at UST was frequently ranked in the top 20 programs in the United States.

“I am honored and humbled to receive this appointment, and I will continue the proud 30 year tradition of excellence begun by our founding director, Dr. Anne Tiller,” Stockton said. “The Center remains committed to three pillars of success – a strong academic program; student engagement; and community outreach – as we continue our support of the University’s mission of educating leaders of faith and character.”

He received his Ph.D. in political science from Texas A&M University in 1998. His areas of specialization are democratization and security in contemporary Asia Pacific, with concentration on Korea, China, and Taiwan. He has published in American, Taiwan, and Korean journals of political science, Asian studies, and public administration along with several book chapters related to national security, defense, and democratization in the region. He has published two books with the Edwin Mellen Press dealing with political and economic development in South Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

In addition, Stockton has been interviewed by and/or published editorials on matters related to US-China-Taiwan relations and Chinese and Taiwan political affairs in the Washington Observer Weekly, Taipei Times, Taiwan Journal, Southern Daily News, World Journal, and Houston Chronicle.

Stockton has served as a board member of the American Association of Chinese Studies (2009 – present), North American Coordinator of the Conference Group on Taiwan Studies (2009-10), president of the Southwest Conference on Asian Studies (2003 and 2005), vice president of the Houston-Taipei Society (2005 – present), and as member of the boards of the Asian Pacific American Heritage Association and Japan America Society of Houston. In 2007, Dr. Stockton served on a committee formed by the Houston City Mayor’s Office to increase inward-bound tourism from China.

His current research deals with electoral change, political parties and democratic consolidation in East Asia as well as ongoing examination of the security implications of development and identity in the region.