Assistant Professor of Political Science
Comparative Politics, International Relations, African Politics
Hollenbeck Hall 208
(937) 327-6104
soquem@wittenberg.edu
Academic Background
- B.A. Languages, Literature, and Administration, Catholic University of Angola, 2007
- M.A. Public Administration, Western Michigan University, 2012
- Ph.D. Political Science, Western Michigan University, 2022
Awards and Recognitions
- Collegium Award for Excellence and Innovation in Teaching, 2026
- All-University Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award, Western Michigan University, 2022
- Graduate Teaching Effectiveness Award, Western Michigan University, 2021
- Fulbright Alumni Success Story of the Month, United States Embassy in Angola, 2021
- Gwen Frostic Doctoral Fellowship, Western Michigan University, 2021
- Dissertation Completion Fellowship Award, Western Michigan University, 2020
- Howard Wolpe Scholarship for African Study, Western Michigan University, 2018 and 2020
- Civil Society Scholar Award, Open Society Foundations, 2019
- John R. Borsos Endowed Scholarship, Western Michigan University, 2018 and 2019
- Fulbright Foreign Student Award, University of South Carolina-Columbia, 2010
- Fulbright Foreign Student Award, Western Michigan University, 2010-2012
- Sonangol Scholar, Catholic University of Angola, 2004-2007
Courses Taught at Wittenberg
- POLI 102 Intro to Political Science: Comparative Politics
- POLI 103 International Relations
- POLI 209 The Politics of Developing Countries
- POLI 224 The American Presidency
- POLI 259 U.S. Foreign Policy
- POLI 259TI Terrorism and Political Violence
- EDUC 280TD-2ND1:ST Graduate School Preparation
- POLI 309 Politics of sub-Saharan Africa
Research Interests
My research has been published in the Journal of Asian and African Studies, and my book manuscript on authoritarian resilience in Angola is under contract with Ohio University Press. My other research interests include democracy and human rights.
Other Interests/Info
Prior to journalism, I worked in the oil and gas industry in Angola, including positions at TOTAL (now TotalEnergies) and BP.