John P. Rose Archives - Reynolds College Blog

Reynolds College announces appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as Director of Defense and Strategic Studies

January 20, 2026 by Reynolds College

Dean Shawn Wahl and the Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities (RCASH) are pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Christopher Ford as the new director of Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS), located in Arlington, Virginia.

“Dr. Ford’s academic profile, extensive government experience, and expertise in defense and strategic studies make him the ideal leader to take DSS to the next level,” Wahl noted. “I am especially impressed with his foreign policy experience, diplomacy acumen and vision for the future of DSS.”

Starting immediately, Ford will work with DSS’ current director, Dr. John Rose, on the leadership transition process. Ford’s formal appointment begins on July 1, 2026.

Honored to serve

Ford said he is honored to serve as the next DSS director.

“Our graduates are what this country needs today,” he said. “I am grateful to Dean Wahl and the rest of his RCASH team for this opportunity.”

In particular, Ford recalled the legacy of DSS’ Dr. William Van Cleave, who started the program in the 1970s.

“I am honored and delighted to be carrying forward the proud legacy of national security education and scholarship pioneered by Professor William Van Cleave more than half a century ago, and built upon so successfully by Directors Keith Payne and John Rose,” he said.

“DSS has a strong tradition and a unique track record in producing national security professionals attuned to the requirements of defense and security in a challenging world,” Ford added.

School of Defense and Strategic Studies celebrates 20 years in D.C.

September 16, 2025 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) is celebrating a landmark moment in its history.

In 2005, the school relocated its facilities from the Springfield campus to the Washington, D.C., area. The DSS program moved from California to then Southwest Missouri State University in 1987.

Now, the school is celebrating 20 years in D.C. with a special issue of its online journal, Defense & Strategic Studies Online (DASSO). The issue focuses on DSS—its history, founder, programs and trajectory—in five short articles:

Christopher Ford offers an overview of DSS with a special emphasis upon DSS’ unique “flavor” and focus, from its origins at the University of Southern California (USC) in 1971 to the present day.
DSS Director John Rose provides an essay on his personal journey with DSS and his reflections about the School’s growing roster of programming.
Former DSS Director Keith Payne, the man who brought DSS to Washington, D.C. two decades ago, looks back across the program’s history.
J.D. Crouch, both a former DSS student and a professor with the program at MSU, provides his reflections on the program and, in particular, founder William Van Cleave.
Christopher Ford provides an account of the unique background in national security affairs of DSS’ current faculty.

In addition, DSS will hold an open house on Oct. 3 in its new office suite in Arlington, Virginia.

“DSS is delighted with its new facilities,” said Dr. Christopher Ford, DSS faculty member and editor of DASSO. “[We are] much closer to the Pentagon, the State Department, the White House and Congress.”

Read DASSO

School of Defense and Strategic Studies moves to new office

July 24, 2025 by Lynn Lansdown

Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) has found a new home.

During July and early August, DSS will be relocating from its current office in Fairfax, Virginia, to its new campus in Arlington, Virginia.

The school plans to be fully operational and hosting in-resident classes by Aug. 18, the start of the Fall 2025 semester. During the transition, DSS staff will work remotely.

The department’s phone number, 703-218-3565, will remain the same. The department can also be reached at DSS1@MissouriState.edu.

Defense and Strategic Studies honors 25 new graduates at spring commencement

July 23, 2023 by Reynolds College

Missouri State University’s School of Defense and Strategic Studies (DSS) honored 25 new graduates in a spring commencement ceremony May 19, 2023, in Fairfax, Virginia.