About Michelle Black, Ph.D.
Michelle Black, Ph.D. is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science for the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO).
Black is the Director of Workforce Development and Education and an Executive Team member and Lead Researcher for the National Counterterrorism Innovation, Technology and Education (NCITE), which is a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence.
She is a Research Expert for the National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska, and Editor for Space and Defense Journal. Her research has been published in leading political science and security journals, including Dynamics of Asymmetric Conflict: Pathways towards Terrorism and Genocide, Journal of Political Science Education, and Defense and Security Analysis on the topics of insurgency, terrorism, and deterrence.
Her current research is supporting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) by developing a multi-actor analysis deterrence methodology, which models state and non-state actors' decision-making preferences within a complex threat scenario.
In addition to her academic career, Black has over 17 years of professional experience with the Department of Defense. Prior to joining UNO, she was a government civilian for the Department of the Air Force, specializing in deterrence analysis and adversary decision-making for United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM) Plans and Policy Directorate at Offutt Air Force Base. During her time at USSTRATCOM, she provided analysis and recommendations to senior leaders about decision-making strategy, deterring state and non-state actors, and regional expertise.
Black has worked in psychological operations as U.S. Army Special Operations NCO (Airborne) for the United States Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) and later as a defense contractor. She deployed to Iraq, Kuwait, and Qatar during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom working on counterterrorism campaigns for the United States Army.
Education
- Ph.D. in political science, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
- M.S. in negotiation and dispute resolution, Creighton University
- Graduate Certificate in Intelligence Studies from Mercyhurst College
- M.S. in international relations, Troy University
- B.A. in cultural anthropology, University of Iowa