Making Waves

Elliott student athletes find balance between studying and competing on the swim team.

Even though her time at GW is coming to a close, Taylor Bernosky, a senior studying international affairs with a concentration in international economics and a swimmer on the GW women’s swimming and diving team, is excited to begin a new chapter of her life with all the lessons she has learned from being a full-time student and athlete.

Bernosky said the National Collegiate Athletic Association requires 20 hours of athletic activity a week, which can be very demanding with a full course load as well.

“Having the structure of practice, class, and the workload that comes along with being in the Elliott School has really challenged me. I have been able to learn time management skills and how to balance athletics and academics.”

Preston Lin, a junior studying international affairs with a concentration in security policy, had never heard of GW before being recruited by coaches for swimming.

“GW is known for the Elliott School’s excellence in teaching international affairs, and to be a part of something and learn from the people [there] has broadened my perspective to be in a field where I could make a positive difference,” he said.

Bernosky and Lin both said while they do not have much free time, the hard work they do in school and sport is rewarding.

“Finding that balance is so important. I did not want to become too one-dimensional, for my life to be all about my sport,” Lin said.

Bernosky said she has not met many other Elliott student athletes. “People are surprised and often ask me about it [and] I love to talk about it because swimming is such a massive part of my life, and it is super cool to have something different on the academic side than a lot of my other teammates,”

Lin and Bernosky both noted their GW Swim backpack is always what gives them away.

“The competitiveness within Elliott is something I heard before I got to the school, but I do not think it is a bad thing. In swimming, having someone to compete with, whether they are on your time or in a race, always makes you better. I think the same thing applies to the classroom. I had a professor who called it ‘conversational Judo,’” Lin said.

Bernosky said winning four A-10 championships for GW has been one of the most rewarding experiences of her life.

After graduating, Bernosky hopes to attend graduate school in Europe and pursue a career in trade policy for the government or a non-governmental organization.

“I think [athletics] teaches you so much. I would encourage every kid to be able to stay in it as long as you can. I think it is so important for people and I definitely will be doing something athletic in the future,” she said.

Lin said swimming has taught him important lessons about relationship dynamics and working with different personalities that he has been able to apply to the classroom as well. He agrees that having good professors makes a big difference and said that every day he feels he gains a new perspective.

“I think the Elliott School’s outreach has been so amazing, and I would definitely encourage my younger self to take more advantage of it. Meetings with advisors, going to the events that are hosted, anything like that, I definitely should have capitalized on more,” she said.

Lin said he would tell his freshman-year self to “stop and smell the roses.” There is so much that GW, the Elliott School, and Washington, D.C., have to offer.

January 31, 2025January 31, 2025

Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins Joined the Elliott School as Shapiro Visiting Professor

As Jenkins brings her expertise to the Elliott School, she joins three current experts, positioning the school as a leader in gender-focused security policy.

Authored by: Brook Endale

Ambassador Bonnie Jenkins joined the Elliott School as the Shapiro Visiting Professor of International Affairs.

Ambassador Bonnie Denise Jenkins has joined the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs as the Shapiro Visiting Professor of International Affairs. Jenkins, who has a distinguished career in diplomacy, arms control, international law and security, brings her expertise to the classroom, teaching undergraduate and graduate students.

The Shapiro Professorship, created in 1992 by the J.B. and Maurice C. Shapiro Foundation, aims to bring in high-level professionals to teach at the Elliott School, offering students a chance to learn from those who have accomplished extraordinary work throughout their careers.

Jenkins’ career has been defined by her leadership on critical global issues. Since 2021, Jenkins has served as the U.S. under secretary of state for arms control and international security. She’s been instrumental in shaping U.S. policies around nuclear security, arms control and the fight against biological, chemical and nuclear weapons. She made history as the first African American to be an under secretary of state.

In May 2023, Jenkins was appointed by Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lead efforts on AUKUS, the trilateral security partnership among Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States. She was also previously the special envoy and coordinator for threat reduction programs during the Obama administration, working to keep weapons of mass destruction (WMD) materials out of the hands of non-state actors. She also led the U.S. delegation to the Nuclear Security Summits from 2010 to 2016 as U.S. Representative to the G7 Global Partnership Against the Spread of WMDs.

Along with her contributions to the country throughout her illustrious career, Jenkins is equally passionate about inspiring the next generation of leaders in international affairs, which is why she is excited to return to the classroom.

Jenkins previously taught a course on arms control and weapons of mass destruction at the Elliott School as a professorial lecturer in 2020 and 2021. Also in 2021, she delivered the Elliott School’s commencement keynote address.

“I really enjoyed teaching and this time, I’m really looking forward to finding more opportunities to be involved on campus,” Jenkins said.

She hopes her students will leave her class with a deep understanding of the complexities of international security and the evolving challenges facing global leaders today.

“One of the things we’re looking at in my course is evolving issues. So, there are no answers yet on how the global community tackles some new international security challenges,” Jenkins said. “It’s about finding ways to increase stability in an international security environment that’s always in flux. And adjusting our strategies to meet the demands of today’s security landscape.”

Jenkins’ commitment to diversity in the security and peacebuilding sectors is also a cornerstone of her career. She founded Women of Color Advancing Peace and Security (WCAPS) to support women of color in this field by creating a network of mentorship and advocacy.

“Security affects everyone, and for too long, women and people of color have been underrepresented in these spaces,” Jenkins said. “It’s important to continue encouraging women to see these issues as something they can and should be involved in, and to make sure that we’re present at the table, advocating for solutions that benefit all people.”

As Jenkins teaches at the Elliott School, she will join three other current faculty members who are security policy specialists interested in gender—Chantal de Jonge Ourdraat, Renata Giannini and Shirley Graham.

In the fall, De Jonge Oudraat joined the Elliott School as the program director of the Master of Arts in International Affairs (M.A.I.A.) and the John O. Rankin Professor of International Affairs.

De Jonge Oudraat has a long-standing involvement with Women In International Security (WIIS) and served as its president and chief executive officer from 2013 to 2021. The organization’s mission is to help women advance to leadership positions in the field of national and international security affairs. The organization was started in the mid-1980s by a small group of academic women who were frustrated that they were marginalized in their field. WIIS is now a global network with many international affiliates.

Giannini is an associate professor of practice of international affairs and the assistant dean for executive education and special initiatives at the Elliott School. She focuses her research on the intersection of gender, conflict and climate change. For the past 16 years, she has been a researcher and practitioner working in think tanks, international organizations, and development banks in Argentina, Brazil and the U.S., where she has been able to influence public policies in areas related to public safety, gender equality, sustainable development and democratic transformation.

Graham is the director of the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs and an associate professor of practice in international affairs at the Elliott School, where she teaches courses on global gender policy, gender and women in global politics. She created the Student Consortium on Women, Peace and Security in 2021, and launched the first undergraduate gender concentration in 2023. Her work focuses on gender, militaries and peacekeeping, feminist foreign policy, and gender-based violence and trauma.

Together, these faculty members position the Elliott School as a leader in gender and security policy.

April 2, 2024April 2, 2024

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!”

April 2, 2024April 30, 2024

Elliott Students Earn Top Prize at Model G20 Summit

Three students holding awards from 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.”

August 8, 2023August 16, 2023

Elliott School’s New Data Literacy Initiative: Revolutionizing Policy through Evidence-Based Approaches

Professors making presentation to staff in conference room.

Professors Emmanuel Teitelbaum and Laila Sorurbakhsh discuss data visualizations with Elliott School graduate students and International Affairs practitioners: (left to right) Chris Markiewicz, Chiara Evelti, Uugangerel Bold, and Briana Doyle.

The Elliott School is excited to announce the launch of a new initiative, Data Analytics for Policy Professionals, beginning Fall 2023. Led by Dr. Laila Sorubakhsh and Dr. Emmanuel Teitelbaum, the aim of the initiative is to provide a much-needed bridge between the world of public policy, international affairs, and data analytics. While traditional policy practice may focus more on qualitative or contextual data, the use of quantitative data in reports, presentations, dashboards, and other media are becoming increasingly common in the policy space. Through Data Literacy in International Affairs, our goal is to cross-train both traditional analysts and data scientists to combine their analytic strengths to inform innovative approaches to evidence-based policy.

As part of the initiative, the Elliott School is offering a series of courses at the undergraduate, graduate, and executive level that provide an understanding of which tools are most useful for both specialized and everyday policy practice. Through partnership with organizations and agencies, we seek to better serve our student body and the greater policy community by upskilling our current and future policymakers to respond to a dynamically changing world. These courses will provide students the opportunity to become empowered with the relevant data tools to improve daily operations, better understand policy, and provide evidence-based recommendations for best policy practice.

At the executive level, students, alumni, and practitioners can sign up to take our 1.5 credit weekend workshops offered both in person and online. Credits can be transferred to an Elliott School Masters program or graduate certificate. Fall 2023 offerings include IAFF 6505 Visualizing and Modeling International Politics with Dr. Emmanuel Teitelbaum (ESIA) and IAFF 6505 Expert Policy Decision Making Using Data with Dr. Leonardo Antenangeli (ESIA) and Dan Spokojny (CEO, fp21). Our hands-on approach combines technical training with guest speakers and networking events to put new technical skill sets into practice. Classes are open to beginners with no-coding experience to seasoned analysts looking to add to their skill set or understanding of its applications to the policy world. Information about the courses can be found in more detail here.

The introductory fall 2023 class will receive a special offer for the Initiative’s launch: $1,500 per 1.5 credit workshop in lieu of the standard non-degree student rate of $2,080 per 1 credit.

To apply, please submit your application here . Applications are considered on a rolling basis depending on workshop timing.

For any questions, please reach out to sorurbakhsh@gwu.edu

For additional information on the course offerings, please visit our website at https://elliott.gwu.edu/data-analytics-policy-professionals

June 20, 2023June 21, 2023

Elliott Undergraduate Research Fellow Presents at Arctic Science Summit

Anissa Ozbek, a third-year student in the Elliott School of International Affairs and an undergraduate research fellow, traveled to Vienna, Austria, this February with the GW delegation to the 2023 Arctic Science Summit Week. There, joined by Professor Marya Rozanova-Smith she presented findings from the COVID-GEA Project, which seeks to understand the gendered impacts of COVID-19 in the Arctic.

“I have been a research assistant on the project since 2022, so I was very excited to share the COVID-GEA Project’s preliminary results alongside our Principal Investigator, Dr. Rozanova-Smith at the Arctic Science Summit Week(ASSW) before world-class scholars in the field of Arctic studies,” said Ozbek.

Ozbek’s topic, “Gender Equality for Sustainable Arctic Communities Amid and Beyond the COVID-19 Pandemic,” focused specifically on the case of Alaska, examining initiatives passed in Fairbanks, Anchorage, Nome, and Juneau, as well as by the Alaska state legislature.

At the conference week, Ozbek assisted Dr. Rozanova-Smith in presenting the COVID-GEA project’s audio-visual exhibit, titled “Arctic Women’s Voices:Standing Strong in the Face of COVID-19,” which gives Arctic women a platform to discuss how the pandemic affected them.

Conference attendees at the ASSW heard from experts across the natural and social sciences on a range of topics, from the effects of light pollution on Arctic ecosystems to Indigenous stewardship practices.

As Ozbek considers a career in research, attending the ASSW provided her with the invaluable opportunity to learn about key aspects of scholarship, including presentation skills and collaboration, firsthand.

June 8, 2023July 5, 2023

Elliott Student was Awarded the Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship

Payton Beaumier, who recently graduated from the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University, was awarded a 2023 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide contest.

The Pickering Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State. Beaumier was chosen out of 600 outstanding candidates.

Beaumier, who grew up in Sioux City, Iowa, said that since high school, she’s dreamed of having a career that would allow her to work towards advancing human rights on a global scale.

One of her teachers in high school once said, “What makes this country great is little people doing little acts of love.” Beaumier said it is a quote that continuously sticks with her and serves as a source of motivation to dedicate her life to public service.

After completing her graduate program, Payton will become a U.S. Foreign Service Officer. She hopes to serve as a political officer working to address matters of human security and strengthen U.S. relations with countries across the globe. Payton credits her time and experience at GW for setting her on this trajectory.

When Beaumier arrived at GW, she was searching for a way to turn her passions into a career, and GW provided an incomparable sense of direction and an environment for curiosity and growth. She stated, “I had amazing academic and experiential learning opportunities at GW. It is a wonderful place to jumpstart your interests.” Specifically, she expressed her gratitude for the unique courses she took, her engaging and influential professors, the Career Services Center, and her time as part of the Elliott School Dean’s Scholars Program.

While at GW, Payton served as the recruitment officer for the Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Sorority and was president of the Women in International Security Branch at GWU.

She participated in the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program and interned with the Bureau of Counterterrorism at the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in Lima, Peru, focusing on international narcotics and law enforcement affairs. She has completed internships at the White House with the Gender Policy Council, the U.S. Department of the Treasury with the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes, and the Council on Foreign Relations.

Payton became aware of her selection for the Pickering Fellowship during her time as an intern for the White House Gender Policy Council, and she aspires to continue advocating for gender equity and equality in foreign policy during her career.

This fellowship will allow Beaumier to pursue a two-year master’s degree in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service. It will also connect her to extensive professional development opportunities, including internships, mentors, and skills training.

As part of the program, Beaumier will work at the U.S. Department of State for their domestic internship, and the U.S. Department of State will send her overseas to intern in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to get hands-on experience with U.S. foreign policy and the work of the Foreign Service.

“I am excited for the opportunity to dedicate my future and my career to promoting peace and supporting our citizens abroad while living a life of public service.”

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.”

December 7, 2020February 1, 2021

Bachelor of Science Program Expands Student Opportunities

city scape with lights beaming from building to building

“Designed to prepare students to tackle a range of global challenges ranging from cybersecurity to space policy, the George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs’ Bachelor of Science in International Affairs (BSIA) degree program allows students to integrate higher-level STEM credits into the study of their core international affairs curriculum…” Read the full article in GW Today

September 9, 2020September 11, 2020

Photo Contest Gallery 2020: From Pandemic to Protest

From Pandemic to Protest

Each year, we ask our students to submit their best photography from their time studying and working abroad throughout the previous semesters. Seeing the world through their eyes (or lenses) brings us all closer as a community with shared stories and lessons. This year was no different, but the world our students saw was vastly changed. Instead of the traditional study abroad photos, we asked our students to share with us a slice of their lives over the last few months.

Throughout 2020, Elliott School students have shown their resilience. From sacrificing the traditional college experience to keep our community safe, to standing up for what’s right and pushing our country to be better, Elliott School students have proven that they have what it takes to be the next generation of global leaders.

While a winning photo was chosen among the submissions, we felt that more needed to be shared with the stories attached to truly appreciate and honor the shared sacrifices and experiences of our students. Thank you to all who participated.

Tag: International Affairs