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Photo Competition 2023: Hopes and Fears for Our Planet
Kluge Fellowship Recipient Spotlight: Dr. Leniqueca Welcome
Exploring Postcolonial Statecraft and Anti-Blackness in Trinidad
Leniqueca Welcome, Assistant Professor of Anthropology and International Affairs, was awarded a 9-month Kluge Fellowship from the Library of Congress to work on her book manuscript.
Dr. Welcome is a multimodal anthropologist and designer from Trinidad and Tobago. Her research and teaching interests are postcolonial statecraft, racialization, gendering, securitization, visuality, and affect. Her work combines more traditional ethnographic methods with photography and collage.
The Kluge Center at the Library of Congress supports interdisciplinary research in the humanities and social sciences. Scholars in various fields can access extensive collections, including the world’s largest law library and diverse materials like manuscripts, maps, music, films, and more. Established in 2000 with a $60 million endowment from John W. Kluge, its Fellows have gone on to achieve notable academic success and public recognition, making lasting contributions as public intellectuals.Twelve Kluge Fellowships are awarded annually. The fellowship will enable Welcome to focus on her first book manuscript, which examines criminalization and the operation of colonial technologies of anti-blackness over space and time in Trinidad.
Welcome’s writing can also be found in venues such as Small Axe: A Caribbean Journal of Criticism, Multimodality & Society, and Cultural Anthropology.
About: Leniqueca Welcome received her Ph.D. in cultural anthropology with certificates in urban studies and experimental ethnography from the University of Pennsylvania in 2021. Prior to starting her Ph.D. program, she was trained as an architect at the Fay Jones School of Architecture at the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, and worked at ACLA architecture (a design firm in Trinidad) until 2015.
Learn more about Kluge Fellowships from the Library of Congress.
Elliott School Wins Prestigious Awards for Innovation and Inclusion
Two Elliott School programs received prestigious awards from the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs (APSIA), a global network comprising 40 leading schools of international affairs. The Generations Dialogue Project (GDP) won the 2024 APSIA Inclusion Award for Community Building, while the Data Literacy Initiative (DAPP) received the Innovation Award for Professional Development Programming.
Notably, the Elliott School was the only school to win multiple accolades.
The Generations Dialogue Project aims to increase diversity in the foreign policy field by connecting young people with giants who blazed a trail in international affairs. Peer-led intergenerational dialogues address anxieties that may prevent younger generations from pursuing these careers, with candid sharing of experiences and life lessons beyond career achievements.
Jennifer Brinkerhoff, professor of public administration and international affairs at George Washington University who leads the Generations Dialogue Project, reflected, “It has been such an honor to engage with so many amazing students and giants of international affairs who shared so generously and personally to support the next generation. I am deeply gratified that APSIA recognizes the importance of this type of engagement.”
GW’s Data Literacy Initiative also earned top honors from APSIA for equipping current and future policymakers with cutting-edge data analytics skills. The innovative program bridges the gap between data science and traditional policy analysis to revolutionize policymaking in today’s information-rich world. Data Analytics for Policy Professionals (DAPP) is a program for professionals of all ages and career stages. Its curriculum was developed in consultation with federal agencies including the U.S. Department of State, the Department of Labor, the Foreign Service Institute, and the National Security Council, as well as think tanks and industry leaders such as fp21 and GDIT. The ability to bridge data skills with job-specific knowledge is increasingly in demand across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Laila Sorurbakhsh, assistant dean of academic programs, assistant professor of international affairs and director of online education who co-directed the initiative, said, ”I am thrilled that the Data Analytics for Policy Professionals program has been honored with APSIA’s 2024 Innovation Award! I am immensely proud of the collaborative efforts of my co-director, Emmanuel Teitelbaum, Chris Markiewicz, assistant director of academic programs, our exceptional students, and our dedicated instructors. Together, they embody a spirit of innovation and excellence here at GW.”
Elliott School Celebrates 125 Years of International Affairs Education
The celebration reflected on the evolution of the school and the diverse careers it has prepared students for over the years.
Alumni and students of the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University gathered on Thursday evening to celebrate the school’s 125th anniversary and its commitment to teaching and researching international affairs while preparing countless students for impactful careers in diplomacy and related global fields.
Celebrators gathered Thursday in the City View Room on the top floor of the school with its panoramic view of the city’s monuments. The room was decorated with buff and blue balloons and poster boards that told the history of the school.
GW President Ellen M. Granberg kicked off the event, thanking attendees for gathering to commemorate the milestone in the school’s history.
“As the world has changed over the last 125 years, the study of international affairs at GW has kept pace, evolving into an expansive, multidisciplinary organization that draws from a wide range of disciplines,” Granberg said. “Today, we are adapting to new challenges in the international arena, pushing boundaries in emerging disciplines and preparing the next generation of leaders and change-makers for an increasingly complex global stage.”
Alyssa Ayres, dean of the Elliott School, said the school has continued to be a strong force in teaching global issues firmly rooted in engaging with policy and striving for impact.
“For 125 years we have continuously adapted to new challenges, all while preparing our students for an increasingly diverse set of careers,” Ayres said. “The majority of our students, undergraduate as well as graduate, now go on to careers in the private sector and nongovernmental organizations, even as the call of public service remains an important pathway for many. As the world becomes more complex, the emphasis we place on practice, fostering international dialogue and shaping policy solutions, prepares our graduates for whatever they will encounter.”
The Elliott School was established in 1898 as the School of Comparative Jurisprudence with an enrollment number of 90 students. The school’s focus on international law attracted prominent faculty such as Associate Supreme Court Justices John M. Harlan and David J. Brewer. After enrollment began to drop, in 1905, the institution was renamed the School of Politics and Diplomacy (SPD) for two years. In 1907, SPD was replaced by the College of the Political Sciences which held its last commencement in June of 1913. For the next 15 years, international affairs programs were transferred to the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences, where a focus was still placed on preparing students for foreign and public service.
Through the years, the school underwent several more name changes, then in 1987, the institution was renamed to School of International Affairs and worked to become a prominent leader in international affairs education. In 1988, the school was named the Elliott School to honor former GW President Lloyd H. Elliott and his wife Evelyn E. Elliott. Over the past 125 years, the school has served as a hub for discussions on significant international developments and continues its commitment to teaching and researching international affairs.
Marshall Parke, B.A. ’76, and Jenna Segal, B.A. ’98, the co-chairs of the Elliott School Board of Advisors, took to the podium to share how being alumni of the school prepared them for fulfilling careers.
“I came to GW in 1974,” Parke said. That was 50 years ago. And I came because I wanted a life involved in world affairs.”
He shared some of his favorite memories from his time at GW, including interning on Capitol Hill and experiencing historic moments including President Richard Nixon’s impeachment just steps from the White House. Parke said even after leaving GW, being an alumnus of the school continued to open many doors for him well into his career.
“It’s been a great road for an amazing 50 years of being a GW alumnus,” Parke said.
Segal said she credits the Elliott School for exposing her to the interconnectedness of international relations and the art world and equipping her with the skills to become a global cultural ambassador and advocate for positive change through art.
“I’m proud to call myself an Elliott School alumna and on behalf of the Elliott School Board of Advisors, cheers to 125 years of international affairs education at GW, may our legacy continue for many generations to come,” Segal said.
Rose Gottemoeller, M.A. ’81, the first woman and second American to serve as deputy secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), spoke about why she’s proud to be a graduate of GW.
Gottemoeller said she’s dedicated her career to working in policy, primarily focused on arms control and nuclear nonproliferation.
“I am grateful for the way that GW prepared me for life as a practitioner,” Gottemoeller said. “If it hadn’t been for the education that I received in my master’s program at George Washington University, I would not have the skill sets that I needed to succeed in the way I’ve been able to succeed. So I’ve been very grateful to the university over the years and very happy to have these relationships in latter years and the opportunity to meet so many talented young students.”
Elliott Alumni Reflect on Prestigious Presidential Fellowship
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!”
Elliott Students Earn Top Prize at Model G20 Summit
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.”
The International Women of Elliott Champions Women’s Leadership on Campus and Around the World
Formed nearly four years ago, GW’s International Women of Elliott (I/WE) is committed to women’s advancement in international affairs. I/WE Executive Circle members champion Elliott students focused on women’s leadership to ensure those who choose to lead have the resources and tools to do so.
In addition to connecting Elliott alumni and students, I/WE raises funds to provide grants for Elliott students, supporting tuition, research projects, unpaid internships, conference presentations, and other activities. In the last two academic years, I/WE has awarded an impressive $183,000 to 48 students at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
On this International Women’s Day, we spoke with several I/WE Executive Circle members about their participation, what the network means to them, and why women’s leadership matters.
Ambassador Gina Abercrombie-Winstanley, BA ’80; President, Middle East Policy Council, Washington, D.C.
I’m currently running a non-profit that focuses on policy education and bridge-building between Americans and Middle Easterners – crucial in today’s world. As a former Ambassador, I know that ensuring women participate fully in society and in international affairs is essential to a more peaceful world.
Representation is so important. It made a difference to me in forming my goals and my sense of where l belong. Sometimes seeing a woman in leadership was a spur. Sometimes seeing us missing was an even greater one!
Alexandra Garcia, MIPP ’14; Non-Profit Consultant, Washington, D.C.
Helping to create a welcoming, safe, and connected space for younger professional women is very important to me because I don’t think it really existed when I was going through my own educational journey.
I hope and expect that more and more women will come into the decision-making roles that are pivotal in advancing a more just and fair societal order around the world. Women are just as strategic and goal-driven as men, but I believe we are more attuned to and mindful of the impact of our collective actions as a human species on the citizens of the world. “Winning at all costs” has proven over and over to be a failing strategy for world affairs.
Julie Monaco, BA ’85; Managing Director and Global Head, Public Sector Banking, Citi, New York; I/WE Executive Circle Co-Chair
My Elliott School education is why I have succeeded in a career in global banking. My international affairs degree gave me the foundation of understanding and instilled a passion to continue explore and learn about all the political and economic challenges my clients in 150+ countries face every day. Throughout my career, I had fantastic mentors and teachers, both men and women, who helped me grow and contribute in a way that would not be possible without them. I participate in I/WE to provide more young people who share the I/WE mission with the vast opportunities that an Elliott School education will offer them.
Brooke Pearson, MIPP ’16; Lead Program Manager, Google Chrome Trust & Safety, Google, United Kingdom
I used to think that international policy work could only be done from a thinktank, NGO, or in government. However, I learned that there are increasingly more policy-focused roles in the private sector too. I advise young women and students to keep your horizon broad: approach your career with an open mind about where you can make an impact, and where your skills will shine.
Laura Wais, BA ’71; Underwater and Travel Photographer, San Francisco
I/WE is to me a way to connect with former and current students and faculty at the Elliott School. Being invited to join the Executive Circle is a great honor. I owe so much to my education at GW. I feel that I/WE donations help shape the future of Elliott School graduates, who will go into the world as a future generation of leaders.
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area and travel several times a year to take images of Africa and the Indo-Pacific regions. I share my images with different environmental nonprofits and companies to highlight what I have seen in foreign countries. This is important to me from a perspective of increasing a world view to those who may not be able to travel as I do.
Elliott School Senior Publishes Book on Self-Discovery
by Shawn Calmes
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.
SPS celebrates its 45th Anniversary
A Brief History of Security Policy Studies at Elliott, 1979-2024
By Professor Paul D. Williams, SPS Program Director
The Elliott School’s M.A. program in Security Policy Studies (SPS) was born out of the George Washington University’s collaboration with U.S. military colleges that started in 1961. Across two decades, the university offered master’s degrees to military officers; tuition back then was $81 per semester hour!
The Security Policy Studies program officially launched in 1979, when Professor Burton Sapin recognized the importance of studying how the United States dealt with its foreign policy and security problems. The program examined how security policies are formulated, implemented, and evaluated, which remains the central task of SPS today.
Over the coming decades, the program evolved and grew in response to emerging issues in the field. For example, SPS broadened its curriculum to include environmental and economic challenges and emerging concerns about terrorism. In the 1990s, SPS Director Deborah Avant decided to add skills-based courses to enable students to learn first-hand how security agencies and organizations really operate.
Professor Avant also instituted a practicum capstone. “I will never forget that first capstone,” she said. “It was a simulation with Admiral/Ambassador Crowe playing president. It was so rewarding to see the students use both their theoretical and practical training as they worked through the scenario.”
September 11, 2001, was a watershed moment for the security studies field, at Elliott and elsewhere. Under Professor Joanna Spear’s leadership, the SPS program responded with a renewed emphasis on transnational security issues, including a focus on how intelligence communities were responding to them. New courses launched, including Understanding Terrorism, Responses to Terrorism, Counterinsurgency, and Transnational Security Issues.
The program also launched a specialized concentration in “Security and Development,” to give students a “toolbox” to take into their careers.” And thanks to a donation from the Cumming Family, SPS ran a series of workshops culminating in the co-edited book, Security and Development in Global Politics: A Critical Comparison (Georgetown University Press, 2012).
By the late 2010s, counterterrorism and counterinsurgency were receding from the list of U.S. national security priorities. Of course, both issues persisted, but the Washington spotlight returned to great power competition, codified in the 2018 U.S. National Defense Strategy. Today’s SPS program, with its four concentration areas, grew out of faculty members’ work to ensure the SPS curriculum provided students with key foundational knowledge, along with flexibility to specialize in areas relevant to their career aspirations.
In 2020, the COVID pandemic affected every dimension of higher education. Leading the SPS program into the realm of online and hybrid learning, Program Director Professor Arturo Sotomayor made a significant advancement by managing risks and uncertainties while also diversifying the student body. In fall 2022, with students back on campus, the Elliott School launched the SPS online degree in U.S. National Security.
Amidst the challenging conditions brought on by the pandemic, the SPS Student Board served as an essential conduit between educators and students. A vibrant and active student body is one indicator of a flourishing program, and our Student Board plays a vital role in ensuring student voices are part of the program’s governance and building a strong sense of community and friendship among an SPS student body.
This year, as we celebrate the 45th anniversary of the SPS program, we are grateful to past directors, who kept an eye on emerging trends and adapted the curriculum accordingly. The program’s suite of professional skills courses is second to none, helping students develop distinctive selling points in competitive job markets. Today’s SPS students are comfortable operating in cyberspace as well as physical space. And they have a keen interest in data analytics—to better understand and present evidence, trends, arguments, and conclusions.
The Security Policy Studies program is not an island! We have greatly benefited from being part of the larger suite of postgraduate programs offered at the Elliott School and the George Washington University, which provide students with a large range of multidisciplinary options. SPS students learn from an impressive array of courses: covering issues from global health security to national security law and from hacking cyber systems to understanding geographic information systems.
Many part-time faculty—often practitioners—help to enrich the SPS program despite their own hectic professional schedules. To demonstrate the degree of dedication: Bruce Powers has consistently taught defense policy for over three decades. The program’s gratitude goes to Bruce and to each and every part-time faculty member.
Clearly, the efforts of many people have shaped the highly successful SPS program of the 2020s. Here’s to the next 45 years and beyond.
One Summer: A World of Opportunity
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