George Washington University

November 3, 2025November 4, 2025

VOYAGER SCHOLAR WINNERS

Voyaging Toward Global Connection
Three George Washington University juniors have been named recipients of the prestigious 2025–2027 Obama-Chesky Voyager Scholarship for Public Service. Eve Danishevsky, Malyna Gomez Trujillo, and Amanda Valenzuela were selected for their commitment to public service, community engagement, and demonstrated leadership potential.

We recently caught up with Eve, who, in addition to her studies as an Elliott undergraduate student pursuing a B.S. in International Affairs and Finance, is a Dean’s Scholar and a program coordinator of Elliott School’s Central Asia Program. We spoke with her about plans to translate her experiences into values-based leadership that inspires equitable and lasting change.

Q1: The Voyager Scholarship is all about building bridges and gaining empathy through new experiences. How do you think traveling and meeting new communities will change the way you approach public service?

One of the most unique parts of this scholarship is the $10,000 allotment for a summer travel opportunity, which I plan to use for on-the-ground research across all of Central Asia. International development is a broad category of public service that I chose as my focus area in my application, and I hope to hone in more narrowly on the powerful ways that intercultural immersion can serve as a form of soft diplomacy. There are so many misconceptions about Americans and Central Asians from each respective region, and the opportunity to meet with a wide variety of different groups will give me the opportunity to gain nuanced insights into how different people understand identity and global citizenship. These are perspectives that I would never be able to fully grasp from a classroom or through research alone.

Q2: President Obama and Brian Chesky, who founded the scholarship along with Michelle Obama, talk a lot about curiosity—how it can open doors and create understanding. How has curiosity shaped your journey so far, and how do you hope to build on that through this program?

Curiosity is the reason that I chose GW, for the opportunity to continue expanding my worldview on parts of the world that aren’t particularly emphasized in typical international relations programs. That curiosity has made me realize that the change that I want to enact transcends the typical boundaries of what people think it means to work in public service—I want my work to connect people of different cultures in ways that are long-lasting and intergenerational. The funding and mentorship opportunities that this program provides will let me expand on that in ways that I can’t even imagine right now, whether that’s through collaborating with local leaders to create initiatives that foster mutual understanding or working more broadly with the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs to research more about the efficacy of free exchange programs in Eurasia.

Q3: The scholarship focuses on values-based leadership. What values are most important to you in your public service work, and how do you hope to grow as a leader over the next two years?

Community, impact, and commitment drive my work, and they have all guided me in my various roles on campus, from being a First Gen Mentor to a Peer Advisor to a Program Coordinator for our Central Asia Program. Over these next two years, I look forward to growing as a leader who can translate these qualities into quantifiable change, and I am already working with a coach who is helping me build on those values for my summer project. I am so excited to continue learning about the world around me and how values-based leadership can create equitable change.

Q4: Exposure to new places often changes how we see what’s possible. What’s one way you hope to take what you learn as a Voyager Scholar and bring it back to GW or your community?

I think that a deeper sense of global perspective and empathy can really transform how people think about leadership, especially at an internationally driven school like GW. As a Dean’s Scholar already researching Central Asian governance, the Voyager Scholarship will undoubtedly deepen my understanding of the institutions shaping this region and help me assess how intercultural initiatives influence capacity-building in those countries. But more than that, this program will show how people-to-people connections can serve as a powerful tool for the promotion of international engagement, and that is exactly what I want to bring back to my GW community. I hope that my selection for this scholarship proves that any passion project, no matter how niche or under-researched, has value that is waiting to be recognized.

Q5: This scholarship is about preparing the next generation of leaders. Looking ahead, how do you imagine using the network and resources you gain to make an impact?

I look forward to attending the annual Voyagers Fall Summit and meeting the rest of my cohort, as well as getting the chance to hear from experienced leaders in public service. As I prepare to enter a field as small as Central Asian Studies, being around people who are as interested in building bridges across different communities as I am will be crucial to refining how I turn ambitious concepts into tangible actions.

About the scholarship: The Voyager scholarship was created by former President Barack Obama, former First Lady Michelle Obama and Airbnb co-founder Brian Chesky. It provides financial aid, summer travel opportunities to broaden recipients’ exposure to new communities and cultures, and access to a network of mentors and leaders in public service. This year’s cohort includes 100 students from 71 colleges and universities across 34 states and United States territories.

November 3, 2025November 4, 2025

Elliott School Open House: Celebrating Alumni and Families

Authored by: Simar Kler

Dr. Allison Agwu, mother of Amaka Agwu, ESIA BA ’29

Attendees listening to a lecture in Elliott’s classrooms.

A conversation amongst Elliott School guests and Dean Alyssa Ayres

Dean Ayres poses with student and family.

On October 25, the Elliott School welcomed back alumni and families of current students for an open house as part of GW’s Alumni & Families Weekend 2025: A Celebration of the ’90s. More than three hundred visitors came to the Elliott School to meet the dean, faculty, and staff; admire a student photo exhibition; and attend faculty-led “express” lectures. A popular highlight of the open house was the chance to meet Dean Alyssa Ayres, who was available on the second-floor atrium for questions, conversations, and photos. A collection of photos can be found here.

The activities for families included express lectures showcasing Elliott faculty, where parents could experience firsthand how and what their students are learning. Three Elliott professors shared their expertise and teaching style through short presentations on a variety of subjects. Professor Scott Pace commenced the lectures with “Human Space Exploration in the 1990s—Space Shuttle and Beyond,” followed by Professor Celeste Arrington’s lecture on “Advances in Disability Rights and Law in South Korea and Japan.” Professor Bob Orttung concluded the express lectures by exploring “Northern Sweden’s Rapid Industrial Transition.” In the words of Dean Ayres, these lectures “demonstrated our hallmark scholarship with impact in areas as diverse as space policy, legal reform in Japan and Korea, and economic change in northern Sweden.”

Another special feature of the open house was the photo exhibition with the theme “Moments that Inspire.” Dean Ayres said, “We were able to offer our Elliott families and alumni a glimpse of our students’ travels and inspirations, all on display in the student photo exhibition installed throughout our atrium.” The 37 photographs on display were captured by 21 students, of whom 14 are on the path to a Bachelor of Arts degree and seven are pursuing master’s degrees. Photo subjects ranged from the mountains of Norway to a camel sitting by the Pyramids of Giza. The exhibition will remain on display until the end of the fall semester, so be sure to stop by!

Overall, the Elliott open house was a great success. It was a thrill to bring back former students and the families of current students all in one event to showcase how Elliott is doing in the present. Dean Ayres recounted the open house as “a great way to welcome more members to our growing Elliott School community!”

March 8, 2024March 8, 2024

The International Women of Elliott Champions Women’s Leadership on Campus and Around the World

Alumni members and students of the International Women of Elliott pose for a group photo.

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.

February 22, 2024March 1, 2024

GW Serves: Native Washingtonian Gives Back to D.C. Public Schools

GW sophomore Eden Parker offers guidance at a student council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Eliot-Hine Middle School.

Elliott School Sophomore Eden Parker, a Stephen Joel Trachtenberg scholar, has extended her Civic Changemakers summer program work through the school year.

Authored by: Nick Erickson

GW sophomore Eden Parker offers guidance at a student council meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 7 at Eliot-Hine Middle School. (Taken by William Atkins)

Every now and then, Eden Parker would offer a suggestion she probably could have at any point of the meeting. But mostly, the current George Washington University sophomore sat back and listened to a trio of adolescents at Eliot-Hine Middle School as they shared their own thoughts and ideas on how to best organize an upcoming school dance.

This was their show, after all, and she was there to offer support to the school’s student council, as she does every Wednesday afternoon when the school day ends.

A former D.C. Public School (DCPS) student herself who has performed service and civic engagement projects since her early childhood days, including with the Jack and Jill of America organization that stewards young Black leaders, Parker defines leadership as being humble and receptive to community needs.

“I don’t necessarily think of someone who is always in command or in charge, but rather someone who is sensitive to everything and is hyper conscious of the things that are happening around them and who have the will within them to change, create change or to actually question the things around them,” said Parker, who graduated from Jackson-Reed (former Woodrow Wilson) High School.

Parker, who is majoring in international affairs and Africana Studies while concentrating in international development at GW, was once in those DCPS students’ shoes with her own ambitious goals and visions. She was just seeking an opportunity to act on them, and through GW she found it. In 2022, Parker was one of 10 D.C. residents and high school graduates awarded the Stephen Joel Trachtenberg Scholarship, which covers tuition, room, board, books and fees throughout four years at GW.

Once on campus, SJT scholars participate in service-oriented activities and are called on regularly to represent the university in a variety of ways. Parker, who is close and connected to many of her fellow scholars, has been inspired to give back to DCPS students, GW and other community interests since she received the scholarship. After her first year of studies at GW, Parker joined the Civic Changemakers program out of the Honey W. Nashman Center for Civic Engagement and Public Service.

Parker helped mentor a group of young students at Sousa Middle School on a project addressing gun violence in the city. She felt inspired by their passion to solve some of the most pressing social issues in their lives and was moved by their creative approaches to the project.

“I feel like they all have incredibly powerful voices with really deep life experiences that can attest to the work that they do in terms of service and civic engagement,” Parker said. “I really enjoyed the mission of civic engagement and just general activism of the youth. It’s just so nice to see their ambition and intelligence and that they’re highly motivated to have a powerful voice. I just wanted to continue doing that.”

She jumped at the chance to continue her summer work by helping young and inspired leaders in the Eliot-Hine student council. Especially in her position as an SJT scholar, Parker has felt compelled to share her journey and some of the opportunities she has earned to those passionate DCPS students. She’ll also help the Nashman Center host DCPS students on a retreat to GW in March, giving those youth a chance to set foot on a college campus and plant the seeds of inspiration.

“Having those conversations with other DCPS students, I’m able to see where there’s a lack of awareness about resources we have and the need in D.C. schools,” Parker said. “I want to give back in that sense, just because I am a little bit more aware now.

“My interest in giving back is centered around having a connection with other D.C. natives and D.C. students and sharing our experiences together.”

Parker, too, has large aspirations, shaped in part by some of those very students she mentors. She’s passionate about poverty alleviation, access to education and honoring Black culture and heritage. Coursework at GW in international affairs and Africana Studies has allowed her to see a reflection of herself in the curriculum for what she says is really the first time. She seeks a career in international development so others can have that experience and opportunity, regardless of their backgrounds.

As her journey reaches new heights, she’ll continue to listen and be curious so she can bring others up with her. Because that’s how Parker chooses to lead.

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024

Student Voices: An Open Letter to the World Food Forum

Six GW graduate students share their thoughts after representing the Global Food Institute at the global forum in Rome, Italy.

Authored by: Sydney Pryor, Kailey McNeal, Nicholas Smaldone, Juan Archila Godinez, Lois Maison, Angela Tarana

While the draw of authentic cacio e pepe just might be strong enough to pull some of us from D.C. across the Atlantic, it was the 2023 World Food Forum (WFF) that brought us to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters in Rome, Italy.

Our group of six graduate students from the George Washington University in Washington, D.C., represented the GW Global Food Institute as a youth delegation to the WFF. The six of us also share the belief that the policies that currently govern agrifood systems uphold the interests of governments and powerful industry groups at the expense of human health, social justice and the future of the planet.

As collective first-timers to any United Nations convening, we want to provide you with our insights as six individuals with diverse, yet often overlapping, reflections on our time and the opportunities we see to make the WFF more inclusive and action-oriented. Although this year’s WFF did an amazing job of bringing together compelling voices and actors from across the globe for important discussions, there were also a few key areas of improvement that would have made the event that much more successful.

Here are our “sweet” (our favorite parts) and “sour” (our not-so-favorite parts) reflections and our suggestions to strengthen the WFF experience for future youth food systems advocates.

What is the World Food Forum?

The WFF is a global platform to transform agrifood systems with the 2023 theme of “Agrifood systems transformation accelerates climate action.” The forum was composed of three interconnected events—the WFF Global Youth Forum, the FAO Science and Innovation Forum and the FAO Hand-in-Hand Investment Forum.

These were intended to facilitate intergenerational and cross-sector conversations about the transformation of agrifood systems at the local, regional and global level. The WFF Global Youth Forum was specifically designed to change the conversation around food and agriculture by giving young people a seat at the table and fostering youth-to-youth connection through open dialogue and a series of cross-cutting events.

Opportunities to attend the Global Indigenous Youth Forum

At the same time as the World Food Forum event, the FAO also held the Global Indigenous Youth Forum. Although they were separate events, they both took place at the FAO headquarters allowing us to attend several sessions of the Indigenous Youth Forum.

Although we appreciated being able to attend the sessions within the Global Indigenous Youth Forum, we were disappointed that the Indigenous youth event was separate from the WFF because Indigenous youth are an integral part of any youth-focused agrifood system discussion. While recognizing the value of having a separate space for Indigenous youth, it was off-putting to have the event at the same time and place as the WFF, as if to silo the two groups and create a false dichotomy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth in agrifood systems.

Limited opportunity for open dialogue and minimal action items

The Sour: The sessions we attended were valuable for continuing to think about actions to implement for agrifood systems transformation and environmental protection. However, the panel sessions lacked the opportunity for meaningful insights from panelists. We appreciated the efforts of the panelists to convey their messages in a very short time, but the lack of time limited panelists’ contributions to their pre-prepared speeches, inhibiting any dialogue between speakers.

Room for improvement: We suggest the organizers:

Decrease the number of panelists
Ensure higher-level policy- and decision-makers are in attendance
Keep an open mind and a positive, solutions-oriented mindset
Increase the structured participation of decision-makers at roundtables
Open all WFF sessions to youth attendees

Misalignment of the 2023 WFF theme

Unfortunately, the forum theme this year of “agrifood system transformation to accelerate climate action” seemed like an afterthought during many of the forum’s central deliberations.

Our policy deliberation at the WFF was only centered around changing behavior at the individual level in schools through education. Despite the importance of childhood education around food and agriculture and the need to connect students with how their food is produced and prepared, we felt this hyperfocus on education significantly inhibited our ability to propose policies that could drive “agrifood system transformation” and led to a lack of disruptive change policies.

Policy actions should not only facilitate the consumer’s ability to make healthy and sustainable food choices, but also incentivize the producer’s participation in an economically rewarding and just transition and empowering workers through stable livelihoods and protections.

Room for improvement: We suggest the organizers:

Provide more time for deliberation around larger systems-level challenges
Democratize the process of choosing data and policy priorities
Ensure transparency in the agenda setting process

Looking forward, we need the guidance and insight of those with experience in the critical topics being discussed at the WFF and more seats at the table for diverse agrifood system perspectives. We believe that together, across generations, we can do more “to move the needle.” We appreciated the opportunity to listen, engage, be inspired and critically reflect on the urgency of transforming our agrifood systems and moving from conversation to action.

(This letter was edited for space. Read the students’ full open letter on the Planet Forward website.)

Individual Reflections on the World Food Forum

Read the students’ full reflections by clicking on the links below.

“As someone who is passionate about transforming food systems for the benefit of racial justice and animal protection, I was eager to connect with other young advocates globally on these issues. While the forum provided opportunities to share ideas with other young people engaged in bettering food systems, I was disappointed by the lack of acknowledgement of the role that systemic factors play in the transformation of food systems.”
Assessing the youth role in food systems transformation
Kailey McNeal
GW Law ’24

“People from all over are thinking about the impact of our food production and consumption on the environment, on livelihoods, on our future—and advocating for an agrifood system transformation that is healthy, sustainable, and socially just.
“Thinking about how best to communicate this urgency, how to hold governments and corporations accountable, how to empower communities. People are calling for innovation, and not just the start-up kind, but innovative pathways for preserving, scaling and repurposing traditional knowledge and practices to our urgent crises. But how do we better address this question?”
The dichotomy of plant-based diets vs livestock
Sydney Pryor
Milken Institute SPH Ph.D. candidate in Health Policy

“We youth, as a group, are more than just a category defined by age. We are intersectional and multi-faceted in our identities. Our struggle overlaps with other marginalized and undervalued groups in society, such as Indigenous peoples, women, gender and sexual minorities, people with disabilities, poor people and more.”
An open letter to my fellow youth and our future leaders
Nick Smaldone ’23
CCAS M.S. candidate in Geography

“Each session I attended, and every interaction I had, was a vivid tapestry of insights. Voices ranged from smallholder farmers to academics, from private sector mavens to policymakers, each contributing to a rich mosaic of perspectives. The diversity underscored the multifaceted nature of our quest for food security—a challenge demanding nothing less than collaborative ingenuity.”
Passionate young voices come together
Angela Tarana
Elliott School M.A. candidate in International Development

January 5, 2024January 5, 2024

The Role of Unity in Advancing Democracy in Iran and the World

Nazanin Boniadi visited GW to talk about about the status of women in Iran. (Photos by William Atkins/GW Today)

Iranian born actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi provided an Elliott School audience an update on the progress and status of Iran’s freedom movement.

Authored by: B.L. Wilson

It’s been more than a year since Mahsa Jina Amini died after being detained by Iran’s morality police for not properly wearing a veil, the hijab that is mandatory under the Islamic Republic’s laws.

The Elliott School of International Affairs invited Iranian born actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi for a conversation not only about the status of women in Iran since Amini’s death, but also on the “The Role of Unity in Advancing Democracy for Iran.” The conversation was led by Alyssa Ayres, dean of the Elliott School, and was held at the Jack Morton Auditorium Tuesday.

In opening remarks before the start of the discussion, Mary Ellsberg, executive director and founding director of the George Washington University’s Global Women’s Institute, said the 22 year old’s death sparked protests that gave rise to the Women’s Life Freedom Movement in Iran and across the diaspora. It prompted thousands of Iranian women to flood the streets, remove their veils and cut their hair, and inspired women across the globe to raise their voices against the repressive and dangerous regime, said Ellsberg, who also is a professor of international studies at the Elliott School.

Boniadi, who has been featured in television shows and movies from “How I Met Your Mother” to “Lord of the Rings,” said her “first protest” was in the womb of her 19-year-old mother who was heavily pregnant but had “the foresight to see what was happening to Iran during the Iranian Revolution in 1979.” Her parents joined a minority of Iranians protesting the newly formed government and were forced to flee or risk execution.

The Women, Life, Freedom Movement, said Boniadi, transcends women’s rights though women were the spark and engine. “It is a declaration of opposition to a regime that is not only misogynistic, but murderous and repressive, a perfect rallying cry for democracy, for representative and accountable government that includes women,” she said.

Elliott School Dean Alyssa Ayres (l) led the conversation with actor and activist Nazanin Boniadi.

When Ayres asked what toll activism has taken on her, Boniadi mentioned the death threats she has received and the time it has taken away from her career but added that that “pales in comparison to what the Iranian people are going through.”

“The artists and activists, my counterparts in Iran saying these same words lose their careers, they get sent to prison, they get lashed, they get killed, blinded, raped, tortured, forcibly disappeared,” Boniadi said. “The list goes on and on. That puts it in perspective for me.”

Organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch report that more than 500 Iranians have been killed (the vast majority of whom were men) and thousands more arrested since the protests began. Boniadi said she is invited to speak, write articles and receives accolades including membership in the Council on Foreign Relations, the leading think tank on U.S. Foreign Policy and national security. She has been awarded the Sydney Peace Prize, Australia’s international prize that recognizes leading global voices that promote peace, justice and nonviolence.

“Though victories are few and far between,” she said, “every time a family is reunited after a hostage has been taken or someone is freed after being wrongfully imprisoned or an execution is stayed or an unjust law is overturned, it provides fuel to keep going.”

Setbacks have come on the heels of victory. Members of what Boniadi calls the community of democracy took the unprecedented step of getting the Islamic Republic of Iran ousted from the UN Commission on the Status of Women, something they were told could not be done. They fought for it, she said, to prevent the regime from using the UN system to legitimize themselves on the global stage and to give hope to people in countries like Afghanistan. The democracy community won only to face two major setbacks months later. Iran’s envoy to the United Nations was elected Vice President of the UN General Assembly and chair of the UN Human Rights Council.

She said the member states had been working in concert with the Islamic state while dissidents from Russia, Venezuela and Iran were fractured and fighting each other. Autocrats and oppressive governments united in their objective to stay in power and found influential voices among the opposition to divide and rule. “Democracies failed to be as united,” she said.

“Until we understand that we are inextricably bound, all democratic people, democratic loving people, inherently tied to each other, and we have to work on common objectives and safeguard democracy not only in our countries but also ensure that democracy prevails worldwide, we will fail,” she said.

The event was co-sponsored by the Elliot School for International Studies, the Global Women’s Institute, the Institute for Middle East Studies, the Elliott School’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Initiative and the Columbian College of Arts and Sciences Gender, Sexuality, and Studies program.

January 5, 2024June 26, 2025

Wolcott Foundation Expands Legacy of Supporting Students in Public Service with $4 Million Gift

Provost Christopher Bracey (l), President Ellen M. Granberg and Wolcott Foundation Chair Michael Clark. (William Atkins/GW Today)

Endowment continues a 70-year tradition that has opened doors for more than 500 GW students.

Authored by: Rahim Jessani

To realize her dream of working in international trade policy, Tiffany Smith, M.A. ‘91, knew she needed a graduate degree. But attending GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs in the nation’s capital seemed out of reach for the Texan.

Smith’s career path opened up when she received the Wolcott Foundation Fellowship, which helped with her tuition and gave her the financial stability to pursue unpaid internships during her studies.

“I never would have made it to D.C. for graduate school without the Wolcott Foundation Fellowship,” said Smith, now the National Foreign Trade Council’s vice president of global trade policy. “Everything that I have achieved in my career in trade policy is directly a result of being selected as a Wolcott Fellow and attending GW.”

Since 1953, more than 500 GW students like Smith have benefited directly from the foundation’s annual funding of the Wolcott Foundation Fellowship program. Now, thanks to a $4 million gift to GW’s endowment from the Wolcott Foundation, more students like Smith can pursue careers in public service for generations to come. This gift also transitions the fellowship’s administration to GW—a meaningful tribute to the enduring seven-decade relationship between the Wolcott Foundation and GW.

The Wolcott Foundation’s investment in these students stems from its mission of using education as the driving force to create a “moral compass in government,” an ode to its Masonic origins. According to Michael Clark, chair of the Wolcott Foundation, GW is the ideal university that unites education and public service because of its location in the nation’s capital and its revered founder, George Washington, who was a Mason.

“I believe in GW, and I am thrilled that the positive impact we have on students now will last forever because of the tremendous work of GW,” said Clark. The Wolcott Foundation is a non-profit supported by High Twelve International, an organization of Master Masons dedicated to the welfare of humankind and civic affairs.

The fellowships provide critical support for students seeking to learn from GW’s internationally recognized faculty, participate in impactful research and service, and take advantage of the mentoring and career development opportunities that prepare them to serve the public interest and influence public policy, GW President Ellen M. Granberg noted.

“Students seeking public service careers have a passion for changing the world, and GW is one of the best institutions in the world when it comes to cultivating the next generation of leaders in this sector,” Granberg said. “We are immensely grateful for the Wolcott Foundation’s longstanding support of talented students and value their trust in our ability to continue their legacy.”

Donna Arbide, GW’s vice president for university advancement, explained that alumni from this cohort have gone on to serve in important capacities in the federal government, international business and represent the U.S. in foreign relations, such as former American ambassador to Honduras, Charles Ford, M.A. ‘75.

“It’s impossible to understate the positive impact of the Wolcott Fellows on individuals, society and frankly, on our democracy,” Arbide said. “At GW, we change the world one life at a time, and the Wolcott Foundation has helped hundreds of students go on to make a real difference. It’s an amazing illustration of the power of philanthropy in action.”

President Granberg (c) with current Wolcott Foundation fellows and trustees of the Wolcott Foundation. (William Atkins/GW Today)

The Wolcott Foundation funds fellowships of up to $30,000 for graduate students in GW’s School of Business (GWSB), the Elliott School of International Affairs (ESIA) or the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration (TSPPPA). Award criteria are outstanding academic, civic and social credentials and a commitment to civic service.

“Thanks to my Wolcott Fellowship, I achieved my aspirations to devote my life as a public servant and a catalyst for international goodwill,” said G. Lincoln McCurdy, M.A.‘75, who has received multiple international awards for his work in building U.S.-Turkey commercial relations and people-to-people diplomacy. “The Wolcott Foundation not only provided me with the financial means to study at GW, but members of the foundation took an interest in the fellows and provided a supportive social network.”

During their degree programs, Wolcott Fellows benefit from strong mentoring and networking opportunities provided by the foundation. After graduation, the foundation’s robust support of its award recipients helps Wolcott Fellows build community and achieve their career aspirations.

“Getting to know the other Wolcott Fellows and Wolcott alumni network—including leaders in government and those dedicated to public service—was a springboard for my own career,” said David Okun, M.A. ‘16, a State Department country officer working to deter and resolve international child abductions.

Former fellow Alivia P. Roberts, M.P.A. ‘20, believes the foundation’s holistic approach to the student experience transforms the pathway for public servants to succeed.

“The Wolcott Foundation should be proud of their work as it changes the trajectory of public servants,” said Roberts, director of federal government affairs at the Motion Picture Association. “Being a Wolcott Fellow gave me an advantage when entering the workforce and in my life. I am so grateful for the foundation’s commitment in helping students like me become better versions of themselves, build relationships with like-minded scholars, and serve their communities.”

Interested students can find more information, including the fellowship application, online. The deadline for applications is Jan. 15, 2024.

To open doors of opportunity for talented graduate students in business, international affairs and the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration committed to careers in public service, please consider a contribution to the Wolcott Foundation Fellowship Fund.

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023

Connecting cultures: A workshop on building cultural diplomacy programs

By Yvonne Oh and Alexis Posel

IPDGC kicked off its workshop on cultural diplomacy programming “Connecting Cultures: Cultural Diplomacy and Engagement Workshop”, collaborating with the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design. The workshop was conceived with the two-pronged purpose of broadening awareness about cultural diplomacy, and encouraging GW students to consider how their fields of study can be part of U.S. global engagement.

Highly experienced trainers with nonprofit, American Voices, John Ferguson and Amr Selim – both acclaimed musicians – will be conducting this free, hybrid workshop. American Voices is the implementing partner for the U.S. Department of State’s American Music Abroad Program and the Arts Envoy Program.

On Friday, September 29, the in-person session was held at a beautiful at the Flagg Building, home to the Corcoran School (originally the Corcoran Gallery of Art, 1869). John and Amr led discussions with GW student participants about navigating foreign environments, the importance of sustainable programming, and exploring different avenues for funding.

In different sessions of the workshop, participants met with cultural specialists who Zoomed in to share their expertise in cultural programming – dancers, singers, filmmakers, and other creative talents from all over the globe. They also met with former U.S. diplomats who encouraged their efforts as part of U.S. engagement and shared tips on funding and building networks.

At the end of the workshop. participants will present their proposals for a cultural program using the ideas and guidance from the sessions.

Dean Alyssa Ayres, dean of the Elliott School, dropped in for a quick visit and expressed her enthusiasm for the workshop; sharing how cultural diplomacy programs dovetail well with international development work.

The Walter Roberts Endowment has provided support to the “Connecting Cultures: Cultural Diplomacy and Engagement Workshop”.

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For more about cultural programming and American Voices, listen to John Ferguson on Public Diplomacy Examined (PDx). IPDGC summer intern Adeniyi Funsho interviewed John in 2021 – PDX podcast: Connecting Cultures through Performance

October 31, 2023November 1, 2023

Elliott Student Amplifies Community Voices in Local Government

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.”

August 25, 2023September 1, 2023

GW Elliott School Celebrates 125th Anniversary

This academic year, the Elliott School of International Affairs proudly commemorates the 125th anniversary of teaching international affairs at GW. Since 1898, the George Washington University has offered an unbroken succession of international affairs programs of study, beginning with the School of Comparative Jurisprudence and Diplomacy.

The school’s opening ceremony was an auspicious affair with U.S. President William McKinley and his Cabinet attending. Since then, the school has gone through 10 iterations before becoming the Elliott School, named in 1988 to honor former GW President Lloyd Elliott.

Then, as now, students received instruction from both leading scholars and policy practitioners, including Supreme Court justices, U.S. and foreign ambassadors, as well as officials in government, business, and nonprofit organizations.

Thanks to research conducted by Elliott alumnus Stephen Wyman, BA ’85, we know some interesting history about how the school evolved at GW. According to Wyman, “the school’s earliest graduates played a huge role in the transformation and professionalization of the U.S. State Department. It is clear that GW was the nation’s trailblazer in educating students for diplomatic and consular careers.”

The first woman to become a Foreign Service Officer (FSO), Lucile Atcherson, a Smith College graduate, prepared for the FSO exam at GW, finished third, and was appointed in December 1922. In 1937, four of the 16 ambassadors and ministers with the longest tenures in the Foreign Service were GW alumni, including U.S. Ambassador Fred Morris Dearing, who received his Master of Diplomacy degree from GW in 1904.

During its first year of existence, the school counted 90 students. Today, the Elliott School boasts more than 28,000 living alumni, representing 113 countries, with an impressive record of achievements across all career sectors. Over the past 125 years, the study of international affairs has gained stature — and the Elliott School continues to be at the forefront.

For a full history of the school, check out “Engaging the World: The Study of International Affairs at the George Washington University.” This narrative offers a comprehensive look at how the school has evolved, through its many transformative milestones.Whether you’re a student, an alum, or simply curious about the school’s journey, this reading promises a compelling glimpse into the rich tapestry of the Elliott School’s history.

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The Elliott School’s mission is to develop the next generation of international leaders: leaders with knowledge, character, and skills; to conduct research that advances understanding of important global issues and contributes to the public debate on issues to advance understanding; and to help foster solutions to the world’s most challenging problems.