MAJ Howard Sanborn is currently in his fourth year as assistant professor of international studies and political science at VMI.  A native of New York, Dr. Sanborn received his B.A. in politics from Washington and Lee University and both his M.A. and Ph.D. in political science from the University of Iowa.  He has published in a number of prominent journals, including Political Research Quarterly, European Political Science Review, and Political Behavior, and he has contributed op-eds to the Richmond Times-Dispatch and The Hill.  Dr. Sanborn's research focuses on the development and support of democratic institutions in East Asia, specifically China and Taiwan.  He has taught courses to VMI cadets in Shanghai, and will be taking students back to China during Summer 2012.