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Professor Mahamadou Ahmadou Traoré of the Bamako University of Political Science and Law in Bamako, Mali, is a visiting scholar at IU McKinney. He’s here doing research on his dissertation topic, which encompasses public law and decentralization. Professor Traoré is a Ph.D. student at China University of Political Science and Law in Beijing. He is visiting IU McKinney after meeting Professor Shawn Boyne, who was in Beijing for a presentation.

Professor Traoré’s road to his present career path has not been easy. He was a student leader during the revolution that began in Mali in 1990. The movement was started by students, who wanted improved living conditions and scholarships for higher education. The push for change was joined by Mali’s politicians, and was eventually successful, but it was not without danger and violence. Professor Traoré had to go into hiding during this time, until the revolution was over. Before embarking on his teaching career, Professor Traoré worked for a government agency training elected and appointed government officials.

In addition to his academic work, Professor Traoré serves in his country’s political system, citing the years he spent growing up under military rule as the reason for his service.

“Everybody has a mission to accomplish for his nation,” Professor Traoré said. The only way to solve it is to get leaders who don’t think about themselves but about their country.”

This philosophy is part of the reason he’s drawn to teaching.

“When teaching,” Professor Traoré said, “you become more free.”