The prestigious Presidential Management Fellows (PMF) program is opening doors for Elliott School graduates to turn their academic experience into impactful careers in the federal government.
Administered by the U.S. Office of Personnel Management, the PMF program is designed to recruit and develop the next generation of leaders for the federal workforce. The application process evaluates candidates’ leadership potential, with top candidates selected as finalists. Those finalists then have the opportunity to be appointed as two-year paid fellows at federal agencies.
In addition to the hands-on experience at federal agencies, Presidential Management Fellows receive mentorship from senior government leaders and the chance to drive innovation in public policy spheres.
The Elliott School prepares each new cohort of potential PMFs to master each part of the application process with great detail and prowess. Each year, the Elliott School celebrates having a large group of alumni and second-year students who have earned distinction as PMF Finalists.
Two Presidential Management Fellows, Daria Howard and John T. Lovinggood, shared their experiences working at agencies like the International Trade Administration, Transportation Security Administration, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services through the PMF program.
Howard currently serves as a Digital Outreach Specialist at the International Trade Administration. She was motivated to apply to the PMF program by her desire to pursue a career in public service.
“For me, this meant using my skill set and interests to make others’ lives better,” Howard said. “Another motivation for me and also how I would characterize the program, is community. It’s amazing to be part of such a passionate and talented community, which you’ll continue to be a part of even after the program ends.”
Howard encourages current Elliott students interested in the PMF program to maintain an unwavering focus on public service.
“Throughout the whole process and beyond, keep public service at the forefront of your mind and at the core of what you do,” Howard said. “It will guide you in the right direction and lead to a meaningful career.”
Lovinggood, who graduated from the Elliott School in 2022, was drawn to the PMF program as a means of continuing his career in public service. As a Presidential Management Fellow, he has held roles at the TSA and USCIS related to critical national security matters.
Lovinggood reflected on his experience as a PMF and urged eligible Elliott students to apply to the program.
“It has been a great experience for me that has opened many doors to a fruitful career,” Lovinggood said. “I would recommend to any motivated Elliott Student that there are many opportunities that you may not be aware of, so go ahead and apply!”
GW students won the 2024 Model G20 Summit, beating delegations from universities across the country and earning the “Best Delegation” distinction.
The three-day Model G20 Summit simulates the annual forum where leaders of the world’s largest economies convene. Student delegations represent different countries and negotiate to draft a joint “Communique” detailing policies across major global themes.
“I am incredibly proud of everyone in the GW delegation,” said Hannah Spiegeler, who served as President and led the team to victory. “I knew our skills, cooperation, and talent would lead to success. I wanted to make sure that we won as a delegation – and we did!”
The GW delegation began preparing two weeks before the summit. The delegation researched China’s foreign and domestic policies and prepared talking points, speeches, and policy memos.
In addition to the team’s overall first-place finish, the members of the GW delegation earned multiple individual awards:
– Nicholas Tappe earned “Outstanding Delegate” (2nd place) in the Sherpa Track
– Jonathan Kay received the “Outstanding Delegate” honor in the Finance Track
– Hannah Spiegeler was named “Best Delegate” in the Leaders’ Track
Elliott Senior Jonathan Kay reflected on the professional opportunities stemming from the summit.
“The additional networking opportunities that have come to fruition because of this summit have primarily been networking with other promising young international affairs practitioners who will no doubt wield influence in the future,” Kay said. “I look forward to meeting with some of them again, and I am keeping in touch with some of them.”
Spiegeler echoed the long-term impact of the Model G20 summit.
“I have strengthened my skills in negotiation, research, as well as leadership,” Spiegeler said, “all of which would be very useful in future internships, research positions, or jobs in the field of international affairs.”
Samyudha Rajesh, a senior at the Elliott School of International Affairs, has just published her debut book, “An Inside Job: A Guide to Self-Discovery in an Ever-Changing World,” aimed at guiding young adults through self-discovery.
Born in India, Rajesh grew up in different cultures and continents, including Thailand, China, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States. She is passionate about self-development, health and wellness, human relationships, and the human mind and spirit.
In her book, Rajesh draws from her own experiences of feeling lost and confused with the state of the world. Read the extended Q&A with the author here.
Q: What inspired you to focus on self-discovery in our changing world, and how have your studies influenced the book?
A: In all honesty, this book was born out of months of feeling lost and confused within myself and the state of the world around me. I had many questions about why things were the way they were – not excluding – why I was the way I was. Over the summer, when I had a lot more time, I began reading random articles and books and listening to podcasts about different topics I was curious about. I also started doing a lot of journaling and reflection, trying to understand myself and what I really wanted in life. At some point, those two converged, and I realized that understanding myself was the starting point to understanding other people and the world around me. I think much of what I have learned in international affairs and international development has given resonance to this idea. Moreover, sometimes the biggest, most complex, and seemingly impersonal issues bear their solutions in the smallest, simplest, and most personal domains. We can draw parallels between the tensions of two parties or two countries in much the same way we think about tensions between two individuals and their interpersonal struggles.
Q: Your book is divided into two parts, addressing the “outer world” and the “inner world.” How does this structure help tackle questions about personal and global identity?
A: In bridging the “outer” and “inner” world, I want people to realize how and why they are affected by the world around them but equally, to realize how and why they have the power to influence the world too. Seeing these two things – not as separate entities in silos – but as being deeply intertwined and reinforcing, can open our world up a lot more. Maybe with this new and enlarged view, your world seems less like a series of unexplainable events and more like a complicated but beautiful web of cause and effect. Feeling more grounded and at home with yourself inevitably makes it easier to find your place in this world too. Similarly, when we can make meaning of our own identities and experiences, we can add meaning to the things we are part of and the people we are with.
Q: Who do you hope to impact with your book, and what kind of influence do you anticipate it having on young adults navigating uncertainty?
A: I hope to offer a sense of reflection, understanding, ease, and togetherness for everyone navigating change and uncertainty in their lives – which is all of us at some point or the other. However, in particular, I really hope to offer some relief to young adults (like myself) who are navigating so much change and uncertainty within and about themselves and the world around them at the same time. If I am being honest, I feel like being in your twenties is a string of existential crises. For example, not knowing what to do in life, trying to reconcile what you are “supposed to” with what you want to do, constantly wondering if you made the right decisions, fearing that you’ll end up alone, feeling like you are the only one struggling when everyone else has it figured out – it can all be very exhausting. I hope that by reading this book, people can learn more about the world today by looking at recent trends and patterns in research and data. This might validate how they already feel or change how they feel entirely. I also hope the book gives people the safe space to look deeper into themselves and finally spend some time getting to know that person – their likes, dislikes, values, purpose, dreams, deep-seated fears and insecurities, unanswered questions, and answers – that lie just as much within themselves as around them.
Q: Can you share some challenges you encountered while writing this book and any unexpected insights you discovered?
A: I think the biggest challenge I encountered in writing was to reconcile going deeper with casting a wider net. I wanted to touch on a variety of relevant topics like dating, social media, purpose and profession, religion and spirituality, and global currents whilst keeping focus on the inner experience. I also think it
can be hard to achieve the perfect balance between statistics and stories because different readers will resonate differently with both. This entire process definitely taught me to become less attached to my work, because so much of writing is re-thinking and re-writing what you once thought was “set in stone”. In other words, I had to be more flexible and open and realize that what I intend to convey and what is actually conveyed might not always be identical – and that’s okay.
Q: With your book launching soon, what are your future plans, both in writing and your professional career?
A: I am still exploring different opportunities in my professional career, but I am passionate about the intersection of human behavior, organizational sciences, and social psychology in the context of multinational corporations and international organizations. I am particularly fascinated with the concepts of conflict resolution and motivation. I hope to continue writing in the future and have a few potential ideas for my next book. However, my priority right now is to make the most of this journey and put my all into sharing this book with the world.
Q: Do you have any advice for other Elliott School students hoping to follow in your footsteps and become an author?
A: I would say if there is anything that you want to do – whether it is writing a book or something else – don’t wait for the right moment or opportunity to hit you. Sometimes you have to make your own experiences and create your own timeline. You “become ready” when you decide you are ready to do that thing you have always been wanting or meant to do.
In terms of more specific writing advice, I would say find a spot that you can focus well in and feel good in. I wrote most of this book in between two places – the third floor of Gelman Library and Foxtrot Cafe in Georgetown. Creating a sort of routine with writing helped me a lot. As with working out, picking a time in the day to dedicate to writing and then sticking to it is great for consistency. I also kept a notes app on my phone to jot down random ideas I thought of or information I learned throughout the day. Writing is honestly more reading and rewriting than anything else, whether that means reading other books and articles to refine your thoughts or re-reading your own work constantly to make it better.
About the Author: Samyudha Rajesh is a Senior at the George Washington University studying International Affairs and Journalism. Born in India, she grew up across different cultures and continents including Thailand, China, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United States. She is passionate about self-development, health and wellness, human relationships, and the human mind and spirit. She hosts a podcast on Spotify called “Touchpoints,” dedicated to conversations about life and our individual and collective growth. You can find her on Instagram @SamyudhaRajesh. Sam also has an endurance sports/fitness background and loves to workout and cook in her free time.
Congratulations to recent Elliott School alumnus Yosef Bukhari, MA ’23, who has been awarded a prestigious Rhodes Scholarship to attend the University of Oxford in England beginning in Fall 2024. He plans to pursue a PhD in international relations, focusing his research on nuclear deterrence.
“We are all so thrilled that Yosef has received the distinction of a Rhodes Scholarship. It is a testament to his hard work and his leadership qualities. I have no doubt that Yosef will go on to excel in his work on nuclear deterrence,” Dean Ayres said. “This honor not only reflects his abilities, but it also brings immense pride to the Elliott School and the faculty and advisors who assisted him.”
The Rhodes Scholarship provides all educational and living expenses for 2-3 years of postgraduate study at Oxford. Scholars are chosen based on outstanding academic achievement, demonstrated leadership potential, and a commitment to “fighting the world’s fight” through potential social impact.
The Rhodes Scholarship is considered one of the world’s most prestigious academic honors. Bukhari joins an extensive network of influential Rhodes Scholar alumni making an impact in fields like government, science, and the arts. Rhodes Scholar alumni include astronomer Edwin Hubble, President Bill Clinton, Ambassador Susan Rice, Senator Cory A. Booker, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and journalist Rachel Maddow, to name a few.
Elliott faculty applauded Bukhari on his achievements. “Yosef is an excellent student and was always insightful in my Transnational Security class,” Rollie Lal, Associate Professor of International Affairs, said. “He is a model Elliott graduate, and I am so glad that he will represent us through the Rhodes Scholarship in the future!”
Bukhari describes feeling excitement and some disbelief upon learning of his selection, “I began to imagine myself as a Rhodes Scholar—as already a part of the community. So I definitely began to feel excitement at the realization that I did not need to imagine that anymore,” he said.
Bukhari hopes his research at Oxford will contribute even small steps towards nuclear disarmament and nonproliferation. “I aim to answer the question of what size and type of nuclear arsenal is sufficient to deter,” he said.
Bukhari credits GW and the Elliott School faculty for their support during the highly competitive application process. He advises current students to utilize available resources like the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research (CUFR) and the Office of Graduate Assistantships and Fellowships (OGASF) for assistance with applications to many fellowship and research opportunities like the Rhodes Scholarship.
“Dr. Jacob English at the Center for Undergraduate Fellowships and Research; Dr. Lakeisha Harrison, Assistant Dean for Student Services, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at ESIA; and Joshua Lissauer and Meg Wurm in Graduate Student Services at ESIA have all supported me in my application. In short, be sure to contact the relevant resource and also your professors. GW and ESIA are well-equipped to support you,” noted Bukhari.
CUFR serves all GW undergraduates and alumni pursuing intellectual development through scholarship, fellowship competitions and undergraduate and postgraduate research participation. OGASF does the same for graduate students.
“The resources at the Elliott School and GW are there to help you,” Bukhari said.
After his Oxford studies, Bukhari plans to return to Saudi Arabia to work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, striving for nonproliferation in the Middle East.
When senior Dasia Bandy first moved to Washington, D.C. to start her college career at GW, she knew she wanted to get involved in the local community. Having grown up watching her parents dedicate themselves to civic engagement, Dasia felt a calling to public service from a young age.
Eager to get involved in her new community, Dasia became an Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner for the Foggy Bottom area. In this role, Dasia acts as a critical liaison between residents and local government, advising on issues from public safety to transportation.
“I was inspired by the opportunity to serve my entire community and to leave a sustainable and long-lasting impact,” Dasia said. “I have a passion for policy issues related to safety, homelessness, community engagement, and our military community within Foggy Bottom.”
In her role, Dasia advises local government agencies on issues like zoning, transportation, and public safety that impact her constituents. She provides recommendations to influence policy based on the interests and concerns of community members.
Dasia also holds public meetings where residents can voice their opinions and learn about new proposals that could affect their neighborhood. By engaging constituents and amplifying their voices, she hopes to foster a spirit of participation in local government.
“My primary responsibility and most crucial role is to represent the interests and concerns of my constituents,” Dasia said. “At its core, I am a liaison for community members and government agencies and oversee the delivery of community needs.”
For Dasia, the most valuable part of this experience has been witnessing firsthand the intricacies of D.C. governance and seeing how interconnected agency operations can be. She says it has given her a greater appreciation for the impact individuals can have on policy outcomes.
Beyond her role as Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner, Dasia has seized other opportunities for leadership and growth during her time at GW. As the student speaker at President Ellen Granberg’s first convocation, Dasia had the opportunity to practice public speaking before a large audience.
“Serving as the student speaker has significantly impacted my personal and professional development by requiring me to overcome self-doubt and develop self-confidence that has spilled into various aspects of my life,” she said.
From networking events to academic challenges, Dasia’s passion for service continues to grow stronger.
“While being away at college is often students’ first time away from family for an extended period of time, it can be very easy to forget who you are and to lose your passions that lead you to a very different path,” says Dasia. “However, with all the classmates, professors, mentors, and faculty members at GW, I have been continuously reminded of my passion for public service.”
Amidst the ever-changing landscape of today’s job market, the transition from student life to a professional career frequently proves to be a nerve-wracking journey.
Recognizing and supporting the unique needs of alumni and recent graduates in this journey, the Elliott School’s Graduate Student Services (GSS) has introduced Job Stormers, a resilient support network meticulously designed to address the demands of the present job climate and the complexities brought about by the pandemic.
Led by Joshua Lissauer, a Senior Career Coach at GSS, Job Stormers serves as both a career support program and offers a community for alumni facing a range of challenges. It specializes in supporting alumni seeking an opportunity to reinvent their professional lives or change career directions.
Job Stormer alumni have gone on to work at the Federal Reserve, the Department of Defense and other employers. Elliott alum Nicole Wright Patrick shared, “I felt as though I had reached a dead end in my job search when I found Job Stormers. After years of sporadic job searching, I lacked momentum and became discouraged. I joined Job Stormers hoping to connect with others in a similar situation and to find an added layer of accountability. I found all of that and more through this team of supportive individuals. I am now two days into what I can only describe as my dream job, having gone through the application and interview process feeling fully supported and prepared to put my best self forward. I can’t say enough about the experience of being in a cohort and the coaching I received throughout this entire process.”
“I think Josh’s design and delivery had just the right balance of job search and career content, peer support, and motivation,” James Wylde, Former Director of Graduate Student Services, said. “The first year of Job Stormers was a success; we look forward to fine-tuning the program for next year.”
One striking aspect of the Job Stormers program is its focus on recent alumni. Many new graduates often find themselves at a crossroads, and this program has become a valuable resource for them.
Associate Director of GSS, Meg Wurm, added, “Job Stormers serves as a great opportunity for alumni who are interested in more than just the one-on-one support we offer to alumni. Josh has worked hard to build a program that creates a collaborative support system for those individuals.”
Beyond just job hunting, Job Stormers provides a safe space for participants to reflect on the stressors and anxieties surrounding their job searches. “It’s a support group for individuals who are lost, stuck, or stressed out about their job search, and we serve the unemployed, those that are laid off, and those that are trying to get everything back on track—supporting alumni is the cornerstone of what we do,” Lissauer said.
This support group meets biweekly for six weeks during each semester, allowing participants to voice their frustrations, share experiences, and work on individual action goals. For information on how to apply, please email esiagss@gwu.edu.
In a new partnership, the Elliott School’s Institute for Middle East Studies (IMES) is collaborating with Howard University to offer a Middle East Studies Abroad Program in Oman, offering GW students an immersive experience in the heart of the Middle East’s rich culture and history.
IMES’s latest project is made possible through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education. This partnership between the Elliott School and Howard University underscores IMES’s commitment to expanding access to Middle East-focused resources within ESIA, enriching the experiences of students and faculty alike.
The Elliott School is known for its standalone degree program in Middle East Studies.
Leading the program is Dr. Attiya Ahmed, the Director of the Institute for Middle East Studies. Collaborating on this effort is Dr. Shana Marshall, the Associate Director of IMES.
Dr. Ahmed’s leadership has been instrumental in crafting an immersive educational experience for students, set to take place in Oman during the upcoming Spring semester.
At the heart of this project is Professor Mohssen Esseesy from GW, an authority in Middle East Studies. His expertise promises an engaging and intellectually stimulating experience for all participants. Collaborating closely with him is Raslan Moutraji, an Arabic instructor at Howard University, who has played a pivotal role in identifying advanced Arabic students from Howard, ensuring a diverse and enriching learning environment.
IMES’s Middle East Studies Abroad Program in Oman offers an exceptional opportunity for GW students, alumni, and faculty to immerse themselves in the vibrant culture, language, and history of the region. This partnership with Howard University underscores GW’s commitment to providing a well-rounded education and global experiences to its community members.
“This collaboration reflects our commitment to fostering global perspectives within the ESIA community and providing our students with transformative educational experiences,” noted Dr. Shana Marshall, Associate Director of IMES.
This partnership demonstrates the value of collaboration between academic institutions in enhancing the educational journey of students, alumni, and faculty members. As the Spring semester approaches, members of the GW community are preparing for an adventure that will broaden their horizons and deepen their appreciation for the cultures of the Middle East.
For more information about this collaboration and updates on the Middle East Studies Abroad Program in Oman, please reach out to Dr. Shana Marshall, Associate Director of the Institute for Middle East Studies at GW. IMES continues to serve as a valuable resource within the ESIA community, promoting academic growth and cultural understanding.
Grant A. Silverman is a Research Assistant at the Elliott School’s Illiberalism Studies Program. Studying the rise of illiberal and extremist movements in the United States and Europe, his research emphasizes the role of digital media and disinformation in the rise of political violence. He earned a master’s degree from George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs where he studied conflict and conflict resolution, disinformation, and right-wing extremism.
Silverman examines how anti-democratic, far-right movements are connected globally, and he pays special attention to how a uniquely American brand of right-wing ideology is being exported through international allies. He analyzes the history of American right-wing organizing to explain how the American right has always been concerned with the international sphere.
Silverman considers Dr. Marlene Laruelle as a mentor at Elliott School, crediting her for positively influencing his academic and professional development. “Her leadership of the Illiberalism Studies Program has provided me with learning and career opportunities to pursue the work that I am currently engaged in,” says Silverman.
Dr. Laruelle is a Research Professor of International Affairs and the Director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies (IERES). The Institute’s mission is to “promote and support the study of Europe and Eurasia through research, courses, events, and publications,” according to their mission statement.
Dr. Laruelle’s research focuses on illiberalism, the transnational far-right, and the Russian ideological landscape. She is the author of Is Russia Fascist? Unraveling Propaganda East and West, in which she explores accusations of fascism toward Russia and expertly examines the Russian domestic scene and the Kremlin’s foreign policy rationales.
Silverman’s research underscores the importance of studying illiberal and extremist movements and their impact on international politics. The Elliott School’s programs provide students and alumni with the tools and resources to pursue careers in this critical area of study. Silverman further credits the Elliott School with providing him with time and space to conduct his research, as well as access to exhaustive library resources.
Supervised by leading international security experts, the program’s purpose is to partner students with leading international security scholars while exploring enduring and emerging themes in international security. The ISI program is put on by the Cambridge Security Initiative in partnership with the Department of War Studies, King’s College, University of London. Josué is the first GW student to be accepted into the program.
The program is chaired by Sir Richard Dearlove, former Chief of the British Secret Intelligence Service and aims to provide students with an opportunity to work with leading international security scholars and practitioners, exploring both enduring and emerging themes in international security.
Themes explored in the program include the challenges facing Western democracies from state and non-state actors, modern conceptions of transparency and state secrecy, and the role of intelligence and security agencies in a modern democratic society.
The program is modeled on the teaching offered at Cambridge University and includes small-group supervision of individual research projects by experts in the relevant fields. In addition, participants also attend the annual CSi conference exploring Intelligence and National Security in a Changing World.
Josué credits his acceptance into the program to the resources available at the Elliott School, saying, “it’s proof of the amazing opportunities available here at the Elliott School and at GW. It starts with the amazing faculty. We have very talented professors and advisors.”
When asked to reflect about his experience at the Elliott School, Josué shared his immense appreciation for the faculty, students, and access to global opportunities.
“At Elliott, there are incredibly talented people who have a true sense of wanting to do good in the world and create change. That is inspiring.”
He advises students to “take advantage of the opportunities you already have here. Understand what you’re curious about and look for different perspectives.”
The Elliott School provides students with unique opportunities for global engagement both in Washington D.C. and abroad. The Office of Graduate Student Services offers resources to students through over 65 networking, informational, and skills-building events.
