Hisham Khalek has held the ARDI Chair in Arabic Studies since 2014. He received a BA in history and political science, an MA in international relations and comparative governments from the University of Minnesota. He also completed his Ph.D. program in comparative international education at the U of MN. He taught Arabic language and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis and as an adjunct at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul. He also taught summer immersion Arabic at the Lebanese American University in Beirut.

Khalek has numerous publications, which include “Exploring Arabic”, a six-textbook and media curriculum for middle and high school students. He co-authored a high school Arabic curriculum and a computerized assessment program in Arabic. He also published a series of Arabic textbooks for college level entitled, Marhaba Alif Baa’, Marhaba Elementary, Marhabtayn Intermediate, as well as an Arabic-English dictionary. In addition, he assisted in editing three scholarly textbooks on Middle East history and politics. His current research includes a forthcoming textbook entitled “Marahib” for advanced level Arabic.

In his capacity at the Air Force Academy, Khalek teaches elementary, intermediate, and advanced Arabic language and culture. He also offers courses on Arab media, Oral discussion of Arab culture, civilization, and contemporary issues, as well as a course on current events in the Arab world.

Ph.D. Candidate, University of Minnesota completed course work and prelims, Saint Paul, Minn.
Major Comparative education development
Minor Educational Policy

M.A. University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn.
Major Political Science, International Relations
Minor Comparative governments

B.A. University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn.
Major dual degree, International Relations, History
Minor Political Science

Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS), Evaluator (2009-Present)
Evaluate student applications and rate their entries into a data base ranking system.

Fulbright Committee evaluation team, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn. (2009-2014)
Evaluate student applications and assess their academic and language feasibility to travel abroad.

Committee of Second Language Education, College of Liberal Arts Language Committee, University of Minnesota, Saint Paul, Minn. (2005-2012)
Evaluate and assess language departments and programs by supervising their activities, pedagogy, and curriculums in order to advise on reform and policy change.

Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Selection Committee member. (2008-2012)
Evaluate student applications and assess their academic suitability and preparedness for the scholarship.

Curriculum Committee Member, African American and African Studies Dept. (2006-2007)
Reevaluate the curriculum and make adjustments and change, provide recommendation to the dean of the College of Liberal Arts.

Concordia Language Village. Steering Committee member. (2006)
Founding member of the Arabic village “al-Waha”. Moorhead, Minn.

Recognition by DFF head Col. Uribe, dean’s visit (Mar. 15, 2018)

Recognition by USAFA Superintendent General Silveria, Falcon Stadium, (Nov. 25, 2017)

ARDI Video documentary, a promotional documentary featuring chairs of eight disciplines at USAFA. (Oct. 2017)

Promotion to Assistant Professor, USAFA, (July 2016)

Certificate of Achievement, Department of the Air Force. (May 2015)