Elliott 360 – Page 6

April 5, 2023June 21, 2023

Elliott School Receives Endowment to Enhance African Studies

The Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University received an endowment gift from The Bridges Institute to support a new lecture series, as well as periodic meetings of Bridges’ Africa Policy Group.

The gift will support the newly named Bridges Institute Vivian Lowery Derryck Africa Lecture Series, an annual lecture series on U.S.-Africa engagement featuring a keynote address by a senior African leader.

The gift will also support the Elliott School’s convening of the Africa Policy Group (APG), a diverse group of influential voices from civil society, academia, and the U.S.-Africa policy community. The Bridges Institute’s Africa Policy Group meetings become part of the GW Elliott School’s Institute for African Studies portfolio of activities supported by the endowment.

The Africa Policy Group (APG), formed in 2011, is a non-partisan coalition of 30 senior Africa experts that shapes a more robust U.S. Africa policy by deepening knowledge and discussing new findings about Africa among group members, and then sharing informed APG perspectives with Members of Congress, senior Administration officials, and the private sector, as well as African colleagues.

“We are so grateful for this endowment, which will allow us to showcase Africa’s growing strategic importance to the United States and the global community and support a robust dialogue among civil society leaders, academics, and policymakers from both the U.S. and Africa on how best to advance our partnerships and common interests,” said Jennifer Cooke, director of the GW Institute for African Studies, headquartered at the Elliott School of International Affairs.

The donation was spearheaded by Vivian Lowery Derryck, founder and president emerita of The Bridges Institute, and an incoming member of the Elliott School Board of Advisors.

“It is my hope that this gift will provide inspiration for future generations of students, faculty, and policymakers focused on forging strong connections with African nations and working to strengthen African democracies,” Derryck said. “I am thrilled to partner with GW’s Elliott School to continue the important work of The Bridges Institute and delighted to join the school’s leadership board.”

March 29, 2023April 11, 2023

Peace Corps Director and Elliott Alumna will Address Students at Graduation

As graduation season approaches, universities and colleges are gearing up to celebrate the academic achievements of their students. The Elliott School is excited to announce Carol Spahn, MA 00, as the keynote speaker for the upcoming 2023 Elliott School graduation celebration.

As a graduate of the Elliott School in international development studies, Spahn was recently sworn in as the 21st director of the Peace Corps. Spahn has a long and distinguished career in public service, dedicating herself to promoting global understanding and cooperation, and brought more than 25 years of public and private sector experience to the role. She has worked in countries around the world on issues ranging from small business development, infectious disease prevention to women’s empowerment.

Under Spahn’s leadership, the Peace Corps implemented new initiatives to support volunteers’ safety and well-being, including increased mental health resources and improved communication protocols. She also oversaw the development of new programs in areas such as climate change, disaster response, and entrepreneurship, expanding the Peace Corps impact and relevance in the 21st century.

As this year’s commencement speaker, Spahn will bring a unique perspective and valuable insight to the graduating class. She follows other illustrious Elliott graduation speakers such as Rep. Gregory W. Meeks, D-N.Y, in 2022, Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins, Founder and Executive Director of Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security in 2021; Robert Nicholas Burns, an American diplomat and academic who currently serves as the United States ambassador to China in 2020; and Cindy McCain, the widow of former U.S. Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., in 2019.

The Elliott School is honored to welcome Carol Spahn as the 2023 commencement speaker, and we look forward to hearing her experiences and guidance in international development and public service. It promises to be an inspiring and thought-provoking address, and a fitting tribute to this Elliott School graduating class of 2023!

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023

Celebrating Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day

As the U.S. Department of State prepares for the 17th annual International Women of Courage Award Ceremony, the Elliott School is also gearing up to host a select group of the Women of Courage awardees for an event where students can meet the women, hear their individual stories of courage, ask questions, and seek advice.

The Women of Courage Awards celebrate women who have demonstrated exceptional courage, strength, and leadership in acting to improve the lives of others. It’s a great chance to bring attention and support from around the world to women who have put their lives or personal safety at risk to help their communities.

The awardees are taking part in the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP), which is the premier professional exchange program run by the U.S. Department of State. Current and emerging foreign leaders in a variety of fields experience this country firsthand and cultivate lasting relationships with their American counterparts.

Join the Elliott School, the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs (GEIA) and the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication (IPDGC), in recognizing the U.S. Secretary of State’s 2023 International Women of Courage (IWOC) awardees for a panel discussion. The event will be held on March 10th in the City View Room at the Elliott School. Doors open at 4:30 pm and the event begins at 5:00 pm. Click on the link here for details and registration. For information about other International Women’s Day events and Women’s History Month events click https://gwtoday.gwu.edu/gwtodo-all-month-celebrating-womens-history

March 3, 2023March 10, 2023

GW Elliott School confers first Elliott Equity Fund Awards

The summer after her first year at GW – entirely online – Deseree Chacha spent three weeks in Tanzania, to visit her grandmother and other family members. “I am a first-generation Tanzanian-American, and I think of Tanzania as home,” she says. “I definitely have taken an international journey to the Elliott School.”

Chacha began her studies thinking she would major in psychology, yet even in the first year she found herself drawn to classes that focused on African history, culture, and politics. This interest crystalized as she traveled across Tanzania, from Dar es Salaam to Arusha to Zanzibar. By the time she returned to GW for sophomore year, she knew she would change course and study international affairs at the Elliott School.

“I am the type of person who wants to take an academic route to learn more about my identity,” Chacha says. “The trip was the moment when I realized I could actually pursue this.”

As the oldest of three children, Chacha was sensitive to the financial burden her parents took on when she started her undergraduate studies. In November 2022, part of this burden was lifted when Chacha received a scholarship through the Elliott Equity Fund, established in spring 2022 to encourage students from all walks of life to pursue their dreams.

“I was so elated to tell my parents I got this award. I knew this would relieve some of the pressure on my parents and even my siblings,” she says. And there is another dimension, as well. “This award shows that the Elliott School recognizes the need to take specific action in regards to equity.”

The field of international affairs benefits greatly from diversity among its ranks, says Rebecca
Brown Thompson, MA ’91. Thompson, a member of the school’s Board of Advisors, went from
the Elliott School to a distinguished 28-year career as a Foreign Service Officer with the US State
Department. Over the years, she continually sought to develop inclusive teams.

“The more diversity we can bring to the table during policy deliberations, the more we can be
confident we’re developing foreign policy that is well thought out,” she said, and added, “When
we have diverse teams representing the United States overseas, it reflects the values of our
country.”

For Thompson, the Elliott Equity Awards are one way to remove barriers to equity and inclusion
and ensure that the “best and brightest students out there, no matter what their backgrounds,
choose the Elliott School.”

The view from inside the classroom mirrors Thompson’s experience in the field. “To resolve the most pressing challenges facing our interconnected world, we need to tap into the full measure of talent available, bringing to the debate the widest possible range of perspectives and ways of thinking,” says Elliott School Professor Jennifer Brinkerhoff.

With more than 40 percent of GW students qualifying for need-based aid, the Elliott Equity Fund Awards are a powerful game changer – for Deseree Chacha, her fellow awardees, and future award winners.

Or, as Chacha puts it, “the advancement of diversity in international relations will greatly assist key advisors and global leaders to foster peace and unity.”

Visit the Elliott Equity Fund webpage to learn more and donate today.

March 3, 2023March 3, 2023

Josué Rivera Rivera: Elliott Student Accepted into Cambridge International Security Program Student Spotlight

Josué Rivera Rivera, an MIPP student at the Elliott School of International Affairs, has been accepted into the prestigious Cambridge International Security and Intelligence (ISI) program.

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.

January 30, 2023March 20, 2023

The Kakehashi Project Returns

Two Elliott School graduate students recently traveled to Japan on a cultural exchange funded by the Japanese Foreign Ministry. The Kakehashi Project is a grassroots exchange program aimed at promoting greater understanding of Japanese politics, economics, society, culture, history, and foreign policy. In Japanese, the word Kakehashi means bridges—in this case, bridges between cultures.

Mimi MacKilligan, MA International Affairs ‘23, and Amanda Earls, MA Asian Studies ’23, traveled from Kanto to Kansai—two regions in central Japan—where they visited Tokyo and Osaka and the ancient capital of Nara.

In Tokyo, the group met with government officials at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and heard about Japan’s vision for regional relations known as FOIP (Free and Open Indo-Pacific), then headed to the Sasakawa Peace Foundation for a meeting.

They joined in the famous “Shibuya Scramble,” the busiest intersection in the world in downtown Tokyo where upwards of 3000 people cross the intersection during each light cycle.

The Tokyo tour included a trip to the Harajuku district known for its inspiring fashion trends from Cosplay to Gothic Lolita. The trendy shopping street is a people-watching mecca in Tokyo. “Visiting these new and old landmarks of Tokyo enriched my experience by also highlighting the mix of history and modernity that Tokyo is known for,” said Mimi of her time in Tokyo.

Riding the Japanese bullet train, known as the Shinakansen, from Tokyo to Osaka traveling at speeds up to 186 miles per hour was an experience Amanda won’t soon forget: “The 320-mile ride from Tokyo to Osaka took less than two and a half hours, reigniting my hope that someday major cities in the U.S. will also be connected by high-speed rail,” she said.

In Osaka they spent time with students from Kindai University. They were treated to a sushi lunch including tuna from the university’s renowned Aquaculture Research Institute which has succeeded in farm raising a bluefin tuna, which, unlike salmon, is extremely difficult to do.

After a two year hiatus due to Covid, the Kakehashi Program is back to a successful exchange. From Tokyo’s Imperial Palace, to musical and sumo demonstrations, to apple picking with a local family, the group’s trip was full and eventful. As Mimi says, the visit to Japan was “both overwhelming and yet it also exceeded every expectation I had … the whirlwind visit to Japan’s metropolis made a strong impression and impactful introduction to the Kakehashi Program.”

For more information about applying to Kakehashi, contact Elliott School’s Graduate Student Services office.

January 30, 2023March 20, 2023

Student Org Fair at Elliott

In case you missed it! The Elliott school recently hosted the Spring 2023 Student Org Fair. Students were able to go table to table and discover just what the 20 Elliott student orgs on campus have to offer. In addition to the more familiar orgs, three new student organizations have been recognized and added to the roster! These include the Onero Institute, the John Quincy Adams Society and the GW DC student Consortium on Women Peace and Security.

The Onero Institute is a youth-driven, nonprofit research organization that wants to develop the next generation of leaders and foreign affairs experts by actively bridging the divide between young people and the academic community and by better engaging youth and the world community on international issues. They offer support and a platform for aspiring young professionals to improve upon and share their work. The Onero Institute places special emphasis on creating intergenerational dialogues and discussing underrepresented and youth issues. This chapter of the Onero Institute seeks to engage the GW and Washington, D.C. communities with the aforementioned mission and strives to empower the voices of students and young people.

The John Quincy Adams Society (JQAS) is an international affairs-related student organization focused on building a new generation of U.S. leaders who understand the limits of power, will keep America out of unnecessary wars, and refrain from attempts at social engineering in countries halfway across the globe. JQAS at GW aims to help college students advance, both intellectually and professionally, while promoting a broader and more strategic conversation about America’s approach to international affairs.

The DC Student Consortium on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) is a student-led organization that aims to—in collaboration with the US Civil Society Working Group on WPS (U.S. CSWG)—promote awareness of the implications of women and gender in security and foreign policy. They strive to ensure that policymakers around the globe are aware of the importance of gender issues in these disciplines and the need to institutionalize a feminist approach when solving critical issues surrounding peace and security.

It’s never too late to get involved with student organizations at the Elliott School. Check out these three new orgs or any of the other 17 Elliott School student organizations on campus. Getting involved with student organizations is an excellent opportunity to meet like-minded individuals that share a common interest. https://studentlife.gwu.edu/student-organizations

December 1, 2022October 25, 2023

Elliott School Confers First I/WE Student Awards

I/WE Award winners share their excitement with Dean Alyssa Ayres (middle row, fourth from right) and members of the I/WE Executive Circle.

When Elliott School of International Affairs senior Carla Dell’Angelica headed to the George
Washington University from her hometown of Los Angeles, she had already decided to focus
her career on advancing women’s rights around the world. In pursuit of this goal, she has taken
classes on women in Africa, women in Latin America, and on the anthropology of gender.

Carla has held work-study jobs each semester to help fund her education. But this semester,
Carla decided to take a risk. She accepted an unpaid internship with a non-profit that protects
rights and promotes opportunities for women in Latin American nations. “Internships provide
essential career experience, but they can be an added stress for students who, like me, usually
spend the semester working a paid job to help make ends meet,” she explained in her
application for the award.

On November 14, Carla breathed a sigh of relief. She is one of 25 Elliott School students to
receive a new award supporting students dedicated to advancing the role of women in the field
of international affairs. The I/WE Student Award, established by the International Women of
Elliott (I/WE) Executive Circle, provides assistance to students with financial need whose career
goals align with the group’s mission: to expand the role of women in the international affairs
profession.

To that end, all gifts to I/WE are dedicated to support graduate fellowships and undergraduate scholarships for Elliott students committed to the advancement of women in international affairs. There are no restrictions on eligibility, and applicants are asked to write about their interest in advancing women’s leadership in international affairs.

“I’m extremely honored to receive this award to support my unpaid internship at the League of
United Latin American Citizens,” Carla said. “It will allow me to focus on my studies and
internship, so that I can be the best candidate for my post-graduation job and future
endeavors.”

The awards are competitive: more than 90 undergraduate and graduate students applied. The
Elliott School was able to offer awards to nearly a third of applicants, for a total of $118,300 in
support. Those chosen are students who demonstrate a clear commitment to amplifying the
voices of women in the foreign policy space, as well as financial need.

The awards also are a milestone in the work of the I/WE Executive Circle and a landmark
moment for the Elliott School.

“We are so thrilled to see our growing I/WE community champion the role of women in
international affairs,” said Elliott School Dean Alyssa Ayres. “The I/WE Student Awards are
central to this goal, with direct impact on the next generation. This is National Scholarship
Month, and we are delighted to be able to offer assistance to 25 outstanding Elliott School
students – all thanks to the support of our I/WE members.”

Members of the International Women of Elliott Executive Circle, a group of more than two
dozen leaders in international policy and economics, also had a chance to talk with this next
generation of women leaders.

“I was truly impressed with the quality of the applicants, and I particularly enjoyed learning
about the goals they have for their careers – especially the impact they hope to have on
increasing women’s participation in international affairs policymaking or bettering the
livelihoods of women all around the world,” noted Alexandra Garcia, MIPP ’14.

Tanya Haden, a graduate student concentrating on global communications, is one of 11
graduate students who received an I/WE fellowship. In her application, Tanya wrote that she
joined an Asian-interest sorority as an undergraduate, “because I strongly believed in their
work to help women struggling with domestic violence.”

At the Elliott School, “I am learning how to advance the role of women in global society through
media,” Tanya added. She plans to continue this pathway, earning a PhD and becoming a
professor. “Media has consistently characterized women in a manner that reinforces archaic
gender roles. I wish to use my position to inform women of how we can shape our global
society to enhance gender equality.”

Contributions to the I/WE Awards build on GW’s commitment to opening doors to higher
education and make a world of difference for students to pursue their dreams at the Elliott
School.

November 28, 2022December 2, 2022

Faculty Spotlight: A Former Elliott Student Returns to Teach

Sina Azodi is a lecturer at the Elliott School specializing in the Middle East. He is a non-resident Fellow at the Atlantic Council, and a PhD candidate in International Affairs. His research interests include international security, nuclear non-proliferation, and US-Iranian relations. Sina previously worked as a Research Assistant at Princeton University’s Program on Science and Global Security and Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars. Sina earned his BA and MA in International Affairs from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University.

You received both your BA and MA from the Elliott School. Now, you teach here. What’s that like?

When I was a student at GW, my dream was to come back to GW and teach here. So, it is really a great pleasure to be able to come back and teach to a great community of talented students.

Were there any Elliott professors who influenced your decision to pursue a career in international affairs?

I had several professors who played an important role in my intellectual foundation, but I am always grateful to Ambassador Skip Gnehm who was not only a fantastic professor but also a great mentor. I am always indebted to his kindness, and generosity. I’m also thankful to Professor Charles Glaser, who set the foundation of International Relations theory for me, in a sense converting me to a Realist!

Do any significant moments stand out during your experience as a student at the Elliott School?

There are significant moments that stand out for me, but perhaps one that I will never forget is when I received my admission letter from ESIA for my undergraduate degree in 2007. George Washington University was the only school that I had applied to for my undergraduate education because I really wanted to attend GW. In retrospect, perhaps applying to only one school was not the smartest decision, but it was one of the most joyful moments in my life.

You are currently pursuing a Ph.D. while also teaching undergraduate and graduate courses here at Elliott. What is your area of research and specialization?

My dissertation focuses on the historical development of Iran’s nuclear program which began in the early days of the Cold War. Specifically, I look at the program from the angle of continuity, and how even after the 1979 revolution in Iran, the program continued because the factors that influence the program did not lose their significance to Iran’s decision makers. Overall, however, my focus is on US-Iranian relations and Iran’s foreign policy

How would you describe your philosophy of teaching? How was this philosophy influenced by your time as a student at Elliott?

Perhaps the most important lesson I learned during my academic career has been the ability to think critically. I encourage both my undergraduate and graduate students to think critically and “out of the box.” As a student, I came to know and appreciate its impact on producing research. As a professor, I seek to encourage students to think for themselves and demonstrate the willingness and ability to bring new perspectives into the classroom. Another important aspect of teaching philosophy is to encourage students to engage with the lecture and the class. I believe that this is very effective both in producing knowledge and creating a positive experience.

Any advice for Elliott students considering pursuing academia?

My only advice is to never give up trying and don’t get discouraged because being a student is not easy. There are many issues that a student must deal with, and the only solution is perseverance and determination to achieve one’s goals. I would also say that don’t try to plan too much, because there are many accidents along the path.

November 8, 2022March 20, 2023

Student Spotlight: Faiqa Khan, M.A. ’23

On-the-ground learning experiences, Elliott School students find, are an invaluable way to hone
skills while improving professional prospects.
As a summer intern in Cambodia, working with the Agile Development Group, Faiqa Khan, a
graduate student pursuing an M.A. in International Development, had many occasions to draw
upon – and enrich – the knowledge she had gained in the classroom.
“As a development major, it was nice to be in a new area where I was immersed in the culture,”
she said. “It was a unique experience [learning] to adapt and speak a new language while
interacting with local residents for an extended period of time.
“Observing a new culture requires a different kind of learning and unlearning of any
subconscious biases and pre-conceived ideas. It is very much possible that the way things are
perceived and done in your country are different from another culture. Instead of believing
your ways might be the ‘only ways’ to do a certain thing, [we need to] be open to local
perspectives. This not only adds to our knowledge but also helps us to better understand the
culture and thus perform better!”
Faiqa has additional thoughts to share with Elliott students who plan to travel the world. It’s
important to stay safe by making yourself familiar with your nation’s embassy abroad, she says,
and to do research prior to your stay. Once there, she suggests, it’s helpful to speak often with
community members to find out what’s available in the area. In addition, Faiqa suggests that
students build their contacts while abroad – this expands social and professional networks.
“Travel as much as you can when you get the time, you will have so many new opportunities to
make new experiences and new friends,” she said.