The Elliott School of International Affairs and GW’s College of Professional Studies partner with the Ronald Reagan Institute to give students a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
January 31, 2024 | Authored by: Danielle Robleski
A summer in Washington, DC is enough to entice any civic-minded young professional. The Ronald Reagan Institute’s Academy for Civic Education and Democracy (ACED) has partnered with The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs and College of Professional Studies to make this dream a reality for a select cohort of students from all across the country. Selected undergraduate students will participate in an eight-week summer program of profound, experiential learning at no cost to them.
The Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute, a nonprofit organization created by former President Ronald Reagan, lists as its mission that it seeks to “complete President Reagan’s unfinished work and to preserve the timeless principles he championed: individual liberty, economic opportunity, global democracy and national pride.” Their main location, which includes the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, is located in Simi Valley, California. In 2022, they opened the Ronald Reagan Institute (RRI) just north of the White House, which carries out the Foundation’s mission in Washington, D.C.
Students in the program will be able to take three courses through GW: A core course titled “Civic Education and Democracy” and two elective courses offered by ESIA, entitled “U.S. Foreign Policy and Decision Making” and “Inside the Embassy.” The courses will be taught by Amb. Paula Dobriansky and Amb. Bill Taylor, respectively. The courses will not only include classroom instruction, but also hands-on learning with weekly site visits to embassies, the U.S. Senate, the State Department, and the White House/National Security Council.
The ACED scholars will also be placed in internships throughout the eight weeks where they will have the opportunity to take what they are learning in the classroom and apply it in real world scenarios. This unique, invaluable experience will foster the next generation of civic leaders and act as a springboard to empower the scholars to launch their own leadership journey.
Last month, the ACED program hosted a kick-off event which drew many distinguished guests who were excitedly optimistic about this new partnership. Dr. Henry R. Nau, Professor Emeritus of Political Science and International Affairs at the Elliott School, gave remarks on behalf of Dean Alyssa Ayres and members of the Elliott School community.
The program will bring students and distinguished faculty to the Elliott School and will be entirely funded by RRI. Over 70 applicants have already applied to fill this summer’s 40 available seats. The program is slated to run each summer, at least through 2026.
“It’s an important opportunity to invite bipartisan dialogue in shaping the future foreign policy leaders of America. We are thrilled about this partnership with RRI and look forward to fostering a relationship with them to create future mentoring and internship opportunities for our students.”
Laila Sorurbakhsh, PhD, Assistant Dean of Academic Programs at The Elliott School of International Affairs