Laila Ballout

Laila Ballout serves as Assistant Professor of 20th century U.S. History and Graduate Coordinator in the Department of History at Wichita State University's Fairmount College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, additionally advising the International Studies program.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in History, Northwestern University (2017)
• M.A. in History, Northwestern University (2010)
• B.A., University of New Hampshire (2008)

Her research investigates critical intersections of 20th century U.S. politics, culture, and foreign policy with immigration, religious dynamics, and Middle Eastern affairs. Currently developing the monograph "Saving Lebanon: Religion, Ethnic Politics, and Human Rights in the Reagan Era", she analyzes how U.S. engagement in Lebanon's civil war reshaped religious dimensions of foreign policy, Middle Eastern-American political advocacy, and human rights discourse.

As Graduate Coordinator, she oversees history graduate programs while advising International Studies undergraduates, reflecting her commitment to interdisciplinary mentorship in U.S. and global historical frameworks.