Denny C. Roy used his international relations degree from the Kennedy Center as a springboard into academia. “The Kennedy Center program can be an excellent bridge between the bachelor’s and doctorate degrees for a student preparing for an academic career,” said Roy. Graduating from BYU in 1987, Roy credited the preparation for his career to the excellent instruction he received in IR and helpful mentoring from professors like Ladd Hollist and Ray C. Hillam. His bachelor’s degree from the Kennedy Center earned him credit for an MA thesis and one full year of course work, and, after graduating, Roy went on to the University of Chicago, earning a PhD in political science in 1991.
While earning his doctorate, Roy served as an assistant political science professor at BYU. From 1992–95, he lectured in political science at the National University of Singapore. Following a three-year research fellowship at the Strategic and Defense Studies Center at the Australian National University from 1995–98, Roy became a visiting professor at National Security Affairs at the Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey, California. Currently, Roy serves as the senior research fellow at the Asia–Pacific Center for Security Studies in Honolulu, a Department of Defense institution. He specializes in China-related international security issues. “The analytical skills I use in my job today are the ones I gained at the Kennedy Center,” said Roy.