Title: Adjunct Professor
Company: University of Maryland Global Campus
Location: Lusby, Maryland, United States
Jim Backus, adjunct professor at University of Maryland Global Campus, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements, and leadership in political science and defense education.
Dr. Backus has established himself as an esteemed expert in his field with over 24 years of experience in education, specializing in political science and defense, including counterintelligence, counterespionage, and counterterrorism. He possesses numerous and varied higher education degrees, but his education-focused degree journey began with an Associate of Arts in technology and military science from the Community College of the Air Force. He furthered his academic pursuits with a Master of Arts in education from Central Michigan University. Desiring to advance his skill, knowledge, and leadership in the field of education further, Dr. Backus obtained an Educational Specialist postgraduate professional degree from the University of Phoenix in 2014, and most recently a Doctor of Education in educational leadership from the University of Phoenix in 2018.
Throughout his career, Dr. Backus held pivotal roles, including serving as an adjunct professor of political science at the University of Maryland Global Campus since 2008. He also served as a professor of criminal justice at the University of Phoenix for 14 years. He made invaluable contributions during his 18-year tenure as a federal agent with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations, spanning from 1987 to 2005, where he played a pivotal role in transforming counterintelligence training. Following his military service, he held notable positions at the Defense Intelligence Agency, including chief learning and academic officer and director of the Department of Defense Joint Military Intelligence Training Center. He retired from his distinguished federal civil service career in February 2022.
Dr. Backus has been the recipient of numerous awards throughout his career, including the Anti-terrorism Award for best installation anti-terror program from the Department of Defense in 1996. He was also recognized as Agent of the Year for five consecutive years and has received Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Awards for the same duration. His contributions have been acknowledged with Special Act Awards from the Defense Intelligence Agency and an Outstanding Adjunct Faculty Award from the University of Phoenix. His commitment to excellence and dedication to education have been the driving forces behind his exceptional career. Looking ahead, he envisions continuing to expand his coaching and mentoring opportunities while maintaining his commitment to providing high-quality, affordable educational opportunities. His advice to aspiring professionals is to be curious and commit to life-long learning, as obtaining a degree assures readiness for the unknown.
For more information, please visit:
University of Maryland Global Campus – Jim Backus
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