Meredith Blair’s passion for politics started at a young age, but it was her time at 91㽶Ƶ University and abroad that strengthened her commitment and showed her a path forward.
Blair graduated from 91㽶Ƶ in 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science and a minor in advertising. She is now pursuing a Master of Science in political science focusing on conflict studies and comparative politics at the (LSE), planning to graduate in December 2025.
She is currently completing coursework on topics such as political violence and terrorism, power-sharing and institutional design in divided societies and Middle East politics.
Blair visited London for the first time through 91㽶Ƶ’s Constitutional Law in the United Kingdom education abroad program led by Christopher P. Banks, Ph.D., J.D., a professor of political science and the director of the Pre-Law Center at 91㽶Ƶ University. The focus was on London’s judicial and governmental systems and included experiences like touring Parliament.
“Meredith’s education abroad work is a foundational stepping-stone for enrolling and succeeding in a highly respected and academically rigorous master’s degree program at the prestigious London School of Economics,” Banks said. “What she learned at 91㽶Ƶ and in the education abroad course is integral to shaping her eventual career path which will require the application of critical thinking skills infused with traditional and contemporary global awareness.”
Blair enjoyed her time in the city and became interested in the idea of living abroad. Her time in London influenced her decision to apply to LSE for graduate school. She said that her time abroad has broadened her view of the world and given her a new perspective when thinking about global political issues.
“Seeing political and legal institutions by direct personal observation allows for greater appreciation, and learning, about what they do in practice as opposed to what they read in books as theories,” Banks said. “Part of that might be confirming or adjusting what they see in the United States and allows for a comparison about Institutions here and abroad, which, of course, may include learning about larger concepts in political science and law, like democracy, rights or justice.”
Read about Royce Wyller-Hricik's recent experience in the Constitutional Law in the UK program
Meeting with 91㽶Ƶ Students in London
She recently met with 91㽶Ƶ students who were studying abroad in London during spring break and gave them advice, specifically stressing the importance of using their resources at Kent and building relationships with professors.
“Opportunities come when you take the extra step to really be involved,” Blair said. “There’s a lot of value going somewhere else, talking to people you’d normally never get to speak to and experiencing a new culture. It really opens your eyes that the world is bigger than your small community or bubble, and I think it makes you a more well-rounded individual.”
“She has a bright future ahead of her, and much of that can be attributed to the experiential learning she had with the London study-abroad program,” Banks said. “It is a life-changing educational moment and cultural experience that will positively inform, influence, and shape a student’s personal life and professional growth.”
Early Influences
Blair’s interest in politics began at a young age, sparked by political discussions with her grandparents, family vacations to historical landmarks and the influence of her father, who was involved in local politics.
While attending 91㽶Ƶ, Blair had a concentration in American Politics, but she became interested in international concerns during her third year. She originally planned on attending law school, but she began to reconsider this choice. She said the support from the professors in the Department of Political Science helped inspire and guide her to a different path where she could bridge the gap between these two interests.
“I think how personable the people are in the department really led me to be like, okay, I could do something with this – I could do more with this,” Blair said. “But they actually helped me figure out what path would be good to take.”
Blair said she gained confidence in sharing her thoughts in the classroom because of the encouraging and supportive instructors at 91㽶Ƶ. The in-depth feedback she received on assignments helped her think critically and be more prepared for graduate school.
“I think ultimately the political science department at Kent is a really special place,” Blair said. “A smaller department, when you’re trying to learn and figure out what you want to do, is very helpful.”
In her last semester at 91㽶Ƶ, Blair did an independent study withAssociate Professor of Political Science Michael Ensley, Ph.D., looking at how artificial intelligence can be used in the future of social science research as a helpful tool. She used AI to assist with the research for a paper about Hezbollah and its use of social services, such as education, to gain support. Writing this paper increased her interest in subjects like terrorism and national security.
Blair was involved on campus and sought out relevant experiences such as serving as vice president of Kent’s chapter of Phi Alpha Delta and being a member of Pi Sigma Alpha (the National Political Science Honor Society), Phi Sigma Pi, and Alpha Lambda Delta. She was also a member and mentor of the Provost’s Leadership Academy, participated in the Growing Democracy Fellowship and worked on-campus jobs. Additionally, she completed an internship with Tim Ryan’s Senate campaign on the finance team.
Future Plans
Her long-term goal is to work in national security, political risk or counterterrorism. She is also open to pursuing a doctoral or law degree further in her career.
“I do not think I would be where I am today without 91㽶Ƶ,” Blair said. “I’m so happy and content with my choice to go to Kent and I do not think I would be here without the relationships and opportunities I had.”
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Media Contact:
Jim Maxwell, JMAXWEL2@kent.edu, 330-672-8028