Title: Professor of History
Company: U.S. Air Force Academy
Location: Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States
Douglas W. Leonard, PhD, Professor of History at the U.S. Air Force Academy, has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Educators for dedication, achievements and leadership in History Education.
Dr. Leonard is recognized for his distinguished career in academia as a professor of history at the U.S. Air Force Academy. In his present role since 2025, he teaches three courses each semester, including two for first-year students in the Martinson Honors Program. One course introduces students to the history of modern warfare while helping them acclimate to the academy environment, and another advanced course, designed for cadets majoring in history and foreign area studies, focuses on 20th-century colonialism and decolonization. Dr. Leonard is also an integral member of the Martinson Honors Program’s governing council and is affiliated with the graduate studies office, which oversees the competitive process of sending cadets to pursue advanced degrees at leading institutions.
A faculty member of the U.S. Air Force Academy for nearly two decades, Dr. Leonard was promoted to full professor after spending 2021 to 2025 as an associate professor of history on campus. During this period, he continued to develop innovative curricula and mentor students who have since gone on to attend prestigious graduate programs at institutions such as Harvard University, Stanford University and the University of Wisconsin. Dr. Leonard’s commitment to student development has been a defining feature of his academic tenure.
Dr. Leonard began his academic career at the U.S. Air Force Academy as an assistant professor of history in 2006, where he spent 15 years teaching a wide range of courses and contributing significantly to cadets’ intellectual growth.
In addition to his responsibilities at the academy, Dr. Leonard serves as a senior fellowship reviewer for the National Humanities Center in North Carolina. In this capacity, he evaluates applications for resident fellowships, advancing humanities research nationwide. He also conducts manuscript reviews for several academic journals, with a primary focus on the Journal of West African History.
Dr. Leonard’s professional journey began with two decades of service as an active-duty officer in the U.S. Air Force. During this time, he held various leadership roles worldwide, including serving twice as commander of different U.S. Air Force organizations, a role that shaped his approach to leadership, emphasizing care and transparency. Dr. Leonard also taught in the history department and worked as an intelligence officer across multiple global assignments.
Dr. Leonard obtained a Bachelor of Science in history from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 1999, a Master of Arts in history from Florida State University in 2000, and a Doctor of Philosophy in history from Duke University in 2012. His education has significantly shaped his expertise as a respected educator in the field.
Beyond his work-related endeavors, Dr. Leonard is an active member of the American Historical Association. Civically engaged, he and his family have been dedicated supporters of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation since their oldest child was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 3. Their ongoing commitment reflects a desire to advance research and support newly diagnosed families in their community.
Dr. Leonard’s expertise lies in the 19th– and 20th-century history of West and North Africa, particularly regions from Algeria westward across the Sahara. His scholarly contributions include the authorship of “Anthropology, Colonial Policy and the Decline of French Empire in Africa,” published by Bloomsbury Academic in 2022. He is currently completing a book tentatively titled “Seas of Time,” which will explore how mid-20th-century West African intellectuals reimagined time as nonlinear during their region’s transition from French colonial rule to independence.
Recognized for his contributions to education, Dr. Leonard received the Heiser Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentoring from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2025. Earlier in his teaching career, the academy recognized him with an Outstanding Academy Educator Award in 2008. Dr. Leonard attributes much of his success to mentors who guided him throughout his academic and military careers, helping him discover his passion for supporting others’ growth and fostering empathy.
Looking ahead, Dr. Leonard intends to assume greater academic leadership responsibilities while continuing to prioritize student development and institutional progress through enhanced collaboration across educational organizations. He remains committed to leaving a legacy defined by positive change through empathy-driven teaching, scholarship and service.
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