Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness has had a lot on his plate these past few years. Last year, Hurricane Beryl barreled through the Caribbean, causing devastation across much of the region. Illicit firearms have fueled high crime rates in the island-nation, and relations with Haiti — overrun by gangs — remain a key challenge.
But this week, Holness marked a personal milestone that he hopes will translate up to his leadership role: he received his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in Law and Policy from Northeastern University. His thesis focused on the ways U.S. gun laws and regulations impact the illicit gun trade in Jamaica. Jack McDevitt, a university professor emeritus, who formerly directed the Institute on Race and Justice, and J.D. LaRock, a professor of the practice in the School of Law, advised Holness throughout his studies.
