Margaret Commins

Dr. Margaret Commins serves as the Shelton Professor of Political Science and Chair of the Department of Political Science, International Studies, and Sociology at Queens University of Charlotte within the College of Arts and Sciences. Her expertise centers on Latin American politics, U.S.-Latin American relations, and immigration policy with strong community engagement.

Her academic credentials include:

• Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• M.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
• B.A. in Political Science and History from Gettysburg College

Dr. Commins' research examines U.S. immigration policy frameworks, municipal-level immigrant integration strategies, and U.S. foreign policy toward Latin America. She actively incorporates experiential learning through leadership of student delegations to the Washington Model Organization of American States conference and U.S.-Mexico border immersion programs. Her Scholarship of Teaching and Learning work emphasizes student collaboration, exemplified by the 2022 Rogers Summer Research Institute project analyzing Charlotte's immigrant integration dynamics.

Professional recognition includes:

• Queens’ Hunter Hamilton Love of Teaching Award (2020)
• North Carolina Campus Compact Faculty Engaged Scholar designation (2016)

She maintains robust civic engagement as a Charlotte International Cabinet member advising city leadership, board member of the Latin American Coalition, and Refugee Support Services Fruitful Friend. Her mentorship extends through research collaborations and experiential learning initiatives that connect classroom theory with real-world policy challenges.