Dr. Matthew Jacobs received the Faculty Achievement Award on April 20, 2018. The Faculty Achievement Award is given out by the College of Liberal Arts and Science to recognize a faculty member or advisor who demonstrates distinguished achievement in both teaching and scholarly activity. Those being recognized serve as models of excellence.
Dr. Jacobs is an Associate Professor in the UF Department of History. He received a Ph.D. in 2002 in U.S. History with a specialty in Foreign Relations from the University of North Carolina in Chapel Hill.
As Director of Undergraduate Academic Programs, Dr. Jacobs leads the implementation of the UF Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), Learning without Borders. Dr. Jacobs is also Director of the International Studies Program, an interdisciplinary major in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
In addition to his administrative responsibilities, Dr. Jacobs maintains active research and teaching interests. His research focuses on U.S.-Middle East relations and international history since 1945. His first book, Imagining the Middle East: The Building of An American Foreign Policy, 1918-1967, was published by the University of North Carolina Press in 2011, and was released simultaneously in an English-language edition (American University of Cairo Press) and an Arabic-language edition (Sutour Publications) for the Middle East. He teaches courses on U.S. foreign relations, U.S.-Middle East relations, the Vietnam War, post-1945 International History, and International Studies. Dr. Jacobs is also a past recipient of multiple teaching and advising awards, including the University of Florida Department of History Mahon Undergraduate Teacher of the Year (2004-2005), the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Teacher of the Year (2009-2010), and the University of Florida College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Faculty Advisor/Mentor of the Year (2013-2014).
Congratulations Dr. Jacobs!