MA in Middle East and Islamic Studies

Ronald Knight

Where are you from?

I am from Delmar, Delaware. It is a small town right on the southern line where Delaware meets Maryland.

What was your undergraduate major, and from which university did you graduate?

I graduated from York College of Pennsylvania with a BA in International Relations with a Geography minor.

What are some causes/ issues you care about? Why?

Some of the issues/causes I care about include the Palestinian-Israeli Conflict, the Syrian Civil War, the growth of democracies in the Arab World, and human rights violations in general. I care for all the hurt and oppressed people in the world and would like to use my knowledge and experience to someday help the region.

What work/intern/volunteer experience do you have and how has it prepared you for your studies?

I am currently working on a policy brief for York County, Pennsylvania, and it has helped me with the processes of researching and has improved my writing.

What aspects of Mason made you choose to study here?

The location was a big aspect of it. I want to get into DC and Mason’s close location, coupled with its great faculty made Mason an easy decision.

What do you hope to accomplish while at Mason?

I hope to establish good relationships with my professors and my fellow colleagues. I also want to get my name out there and become even more knowledgeable in Middle Eastern affairs.

What are your hobbies?

I am a big soccer fan and have played since I was three years old. I also like to yo-yo and have been doing that for the past couple years.

What are you most looking forward to while living in the DC area?

I am looking forward to being close to a bigger city. I have grown up in a rural town and am excited to be away from that and in the Nation’s Capital.

What is your favorite thing about being a student?

My favorite thing about being a student is the interactions and discussions in the classroom. I love discussing topics, hearing other’s opinions, and having good debates.

Which languages do you speak?

I speak and can read a little bit French and Spanish. They were required throughout high school and the first half of my college experience at York. I also have a basic understanding of Arabic which I look forward to advancing at George Mason.

What was the last book you read? Do you recommend it? (Why/why not)

I just finished reading How Democracies Die by Steven Levitsky and Daniel Ziblatt. I would recommend it as it does a great job of establishing four patterns that lead to democracies failing, based on historical evidence in South America and Europe, and then does an analysis of where the United States in currently. It is very topical, and I feel it is worth a read.