Jeffrey E. Key

Jeffrey E. Key serves as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean of the College, and Associate Professor of Political Science at Sweet Briar College. He holds a Ph.D. in Government from the University of Texas, Austin, alongside degrees from Baylor University and the University of Texas, Austin.

His expertise focuses on South Asian politics, including party dynamics in Nepal, public commemoration of Maoist rebellion, and Indo-U.S. strategic relations. He teaches globally-themed courses such as Global Politics, Modern Middle East, and Genocide and the Holocaust.

Dr. Key has lectured at institutions like Chatham House, the Woodrow Wilson Center, and the U.S. Department of State. His research spans three decades, with publications in Asian Affairs, German Life, and Practicing Texas Politics.

Prior to his current role, he chaired the Political Science Department at Hardin-Simmons University (2006–2016) as the Haggerton Professor, returning to Sweet Briar in 2016 after a decade there earlier (1990–2006).