Tag: AY1617

Loeb Institute of Religious Freedom Lecture Series [Recommended Event]

Events, General News
“Before the First Amendment guaranteed freedom of religion in the U.S., President George Washington was an early advocate for religious minorities. President Washington’s legacy as a champion of religious freedom and the inclusion of all faiths will be sustained through the establishment of the Loeb Institute at GW.”
Timothy Keefer (former Chief Counsel for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Homeland Security; Washington & Lee Law)
6-7 PM, Monroe Hall 428 (Sigelman Seminar Room)
Yaakov Ariel (UNC-Chapel Hill)
12-1:30 PM, Monroe Hall 428 (Sigelman Seminar Room)
March 10, Are Judaism and Christianity Compatible with Democracy? Why Decent People Take Scripture Seriously But Not Literally
Andrew Sabl (Yale)
12-1:30 PM, Monroe Hall 428 (Sigelman Seminar Room)

These events are free and open to the public.

Homeland Security Analysts Wanted

Job/Internship Opportunity

Interested in working to prepare the nation for the most serious of security issues like climate change, cyberattack, extreme weather, and violent incidents?
Interested in public policy, security policy, data visualization/GIS, political science/international affairs, or related subjects?
Experience in exercises, Model UN, or other simulations?
Consider applying for a Research Analyst (0-2 years’ experience), Analyst (typically 1-3 years or Master’s Degree), Senior Analyst (combination of experience and education), or Associate (first-level management) position at The Cadmus Group’s Homeland Security Sector in the Exercise Coordination Business Area. Exercise Coordination is an exciting and burgeoning Business Area, providing clients with the expertise and tools needed to research and simulate the most pressing threats and hazards, develop risk assessments, and identify methods and resources for improving prevention, protection, response, and recovery to incidents.
Cadmus is a forward-thinking, socially responsible consultancy that focuses on creating social and economic value and improving quality of life through cross-disciplinary services. Areas of expertise include energy, climate, transportation, homeland security, and regulatory and management support, among others. Check out the Homeland Security sector page and contact Kerry Lanzo, currently an Exercise Coordination analyst at Cadmus and GW ESIA/UHP ‘15, to further discuss the opportunity.

Study Ablog: From Florence with Love

General News, Student Voices, Study Abroad

The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Sammi, an SMPA junior studying political communication and art history. Sammi is also currently abroad this semester in Florence. You can learn more about her here.

My first picture in Florence features an awesome view of the Duomo from Piazzale Michelangelo and me repping GW.

My study abroad preparation began a few months into my freshman year at GW. Being the type-A planner that I am, I started to research study abroad programs for the spring semester of my junior year before I even knew what I was doing with my life for the next semester. Over the next few years, I decided on a program, arranged my four-year plan to fit study abroad (see they are helpful!) and applyied to my program. After being accepted to my program in late August, I began researching packing lists and advice for studying in Florence and studying abroad as a whole.
All of that being said, there are many things that I did not plan for in my multi-year study abroad preparation. I am going to share a few pieces of advice that either nobody told me before going abroad or that I heard but did not take to heart. Hopefully by reading this, you will be spared some of these difficulties (albeit minor difficulties) in your own study abroad experience. If not, I hope you will be amused by my random stories (see #2). Here we go…
 
 
#1: Document your time abroad
You have probably heard this a million times. So have I. Yet, when I arrived in Florence, I forgot entirely about my nice leather journal I got for Christmas and only took my camera with me on weekend trips. Documenting the day-to-day activities, even if it is just what you eat (I would love to have had a tally of how many slices of pizza I have had), helps you remember the days that comprise your everyday study abroad life. I have only been in Florence for five weeks, but I am already forgetting what I did in the days before I started classes. Find a medium that works for you—private journal, online blog, photography, video—and stick to it. You will be thankful for this when you get home and your family asks you what you did while abroad. I have a million pictures from this “Sound of Music” tour I went on in Mondsee, Austria (because the scenery was gorgeous) and other weekend trips, but only a handful from my days in Florence.
 
 
Despite how cute this heart-shaped pizza is that I got on Valentine’s Day, it is possible to get tired of eating pizza, sandwiches and pasta every day.

#2: You will miss American food/snacks
Everyone has that one snack that you would willingly eat for the rest of your life. For me, that is Hot Cheetos. After a few weeks of trying to decipher what the Italian snacks at the supermarket were, I started to miss my Hot Cheetos, which are nowhere to be found in Europe. I am lucky enough to have a few people visiting me from the US throughout the semester that will supply my Hot Cheetos need. I also had no idea how much I would miss burgers. Most of my meals during my weekend in Paris were burgers and fries (I know, pathetic) because I had not seen them in Florence. Now, I know of three restaurants within a five minute walk from my apartment that serve good burgers for those days I start missing American food. Before you go abroad, look up what items aren’t sold in your study abroad location (peanut butter, ranch dressing, Hot Cheetos, etc.) and decide whether you realistically can live without them for a semester. If not, pack some with you before you leave.
 
 
 

On a rainy day, I decided to explore some of Florence and I caught a photo of this saxophonist playing “La Vie en Rose” outside the Duomo. Now, I stop to listen every time I see him.

#3: Dedicate time to explore your home city
This lesson is one that I repeatedly told myself I would abide by before arriving in Florence and one that I find to be extremely important. There is a reason you are choosing to study abroad in a certain city, so make sure you give yourself the chance to explore it. I made a plan to travel at most every other weekend so that I could spend my other weekends exploring Florence and surrounding Tuscan towns. Despite this plan, I have traveled 4/5 of the weekends that I have been abroad. Although it has been absolutely amazing to visit cities like Budapest and Paris, I have not allotted the same time to enjoy the equally amazing city of Florence. Either travel less on the weekends (your bank account will be happy about this, too) or set aside a few hours every week to explore a new neighborhood—going into shops, trying out restaurants and visiting museums.
Studying abroad is a privilege that most people are unable to experience. While it may feel like it is a norm at GW, it is important not to take this opportunity for granted. These lessons are by no means life changing or even in the top 10 pieces of advice for study abroad. However, they have helped me, and hopefully will help you, make the most out of our time abroad.

Woody Allen Movie Screening with Prof. Ralkowski

Featured, General News

More than 2,500 years ago, an ancient Greek inscribed the words, “Know Thyself” on the walls of Apollo’s temple at Delphi. What a fascinating imperative to receive from a god! What does it mean to have self-knowledge, and how can we attain it? Woody Allen’s film, Another Woman, addresses these ancient questions with a haunting story about a middle-aged woman who appears to have it all. She is married, successful, brilliant, and respected by most people in her life. But nothing is as it seems. Her life isn’t what she thought it was. How could this be? Come join us on Friday for pizza, popcorn, candy, and a fascinating movie that is also just a pleasure to watch. We will screen the movie and follow it up with a free-form conversation about many of the issues that it raises.
Join Professor Ralkowski in the Club Room on Friday, 3/3 at 6PM! RSVP here.

Senior Thesis Info Session

Featured, General News

What’s a UHPer gotta do around here to finish their Honors senior requirements??
Come by the Club Room on Wednesday, March 8th at 6pm for an info session about Honors senior requirements. Professors Ralkowski and Trullinger will be on deck to talk about the ins and outs of writing a thesis and Catherine and Mary will be there to discuss all things UHP requirements. There will be lots of opportunities to ask questions and eat (captain) cookies.
Juniors are highly encouraged to attend! If you can’t make it to this info session, you can make an appointment with Catherine or Mary to talk senior reqs.

Food for Thought w/ Prof. Thompson

Events, General News

Come join the UHP and Professor Ayanna Thompson for  “The Challenges of Working on a Living Artist: Peter Sellars” on Friday, March 3rd at 12 PM in the UHP Club Room.
Ayanna Thompson will discuss the process of writing the first in-depth look at Peter Sellars, the avant-garde director whose Shakespeare productions have polarized communities and critics. Through extensive interviews and archival work, her book will take readers on a journey through experimental theatre and the tensions that arise between innovation and accessibility. An iconoclastic figure who inspires strong reactions both personally and professionally, Peter Sellars continues to amaze and confound. Ayanna’s talk will discuss the pleasures and challenges of working on a living artist.
Food for Thought is a chance for UHP faculty fellows to present their research and discuss it casually over lunch. The talk lasts about 20 minutes, with time for a causal question answer period.  Plus we provide the lunch!
Seats are limited, so secure your spot now and sign up! RSVP here: http://thompsonfft.youcanbook.me/

Support GW Dance Marathon!

Events

My name is Cat Edwards, a senior in the UHP, and Director of Partnerships for GW Dance MArathon. For those who don’t know, we are a student-run organization on campus, and currently the largest student-run philanthropy at GW. The objective of our organization is to host a year long campaign to raise awareness and funds for the Children’s National Health System, our local Children’s Miracle Network hospital. Our year culminates with our main event, this Saturday February 25, when over 500 students pledge to stand on their feet for 12 hours (the typical length of a nurse’s shift) in honor of the kids who can’t.
We are currently in our fourth year on campus, but our job has just begun. Last year, we were able to raise over $120,000.00, a 328% increase from our first marathon in 2014. This year, we are aiming to raise $150,000.00, symbolizing $10 for every child treated at Children’s National last year.
 
So, what does this have to do with Honors?! Well, I’ll tell you. I have gone ahead and created a team for the University Honors Program, and all you have to do is click this link to register OR donate: http://events.dancemarathon.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.team&teamID=23614
 
Show GW how awesome the UHP is by showing up with gusto, and raising a ton of money. We’ve all been blessed with incredible opportunities, even before considering the amazing faculty and resources provided by the University Honors Program. Help us raise money to ensure that local DC children will be afforded the same opportunities.
PS- a shameless plug for a GWDM Partner! We’d like to thank Price Benowitz LLP, specifically Price Benowitz LLP , Richard Grungo and William Colarulo , Darryl Kogan and Theodore L. DiSalvo, Dr. Victor Hayes, Whitney Polson and Mark Polson , Lawrence Kohn and Cory Yager, Dr. Edward Jacobson, Glen Lerner, Jim Higgins, John B. Fabriele, III for their incredibly generous donations. If you are pre-law, or interested in learning more, check out their websites!

#HonorsProblems: On being a high achiever who doesn’t fit the GW mold

General News, Student Peer Advisors, Student Voices

The following blog post was written by Peer Advisor Kate, a CCAS sophomore studying statistics. You can learn more about Kate here.
Everyone knows one: the perfect archetype of the GW student. This student is majoring in Political Science, or International Affairs, or, if they’re particularly ambitious, both. Their Instagram is all monument pictures. They have a favorite Supreme Court Justice; they already support someone’s 2020 campaign. They attended the DNC, are currently working at multiple think-tanks, and have interned on the Hill. Twice.
For those of us who don’t fit this image, it can often feel like we’re not doing enough to keep up. Honors students tend to care about academic success. However, how can we measure our achievements if they don’t look like this university’s image of success? As a Statistics major, I’ve learned that my victories often aren’t exactly the same as everyone else’s—and that’s okay. So here’s a few tips on how to stop comparing yourself to others and celebrate your own achievements.
Look for Strengths in Different Areas
I’ve found that students (especially Honors students) who worry about how much they’re doing actually already have plenty of accomplishments. Many of us just don’t know where to look. It’s obvious that a Hillternship can go on your resume as experience. But have you considered that your student org involvement can provide valuable skills, too? I used to worry about not having done enough, until a fellow peer advisor pointed out that being an RA is an accomplishment to be proud of. I had to look to my residential experience instead of my professional experience to see that I am successful—just in different ways than my friends.
Make a Plan
If you’re in a field that’s not typically GW (like Statistics), typical career advice may not be applicable to you. Investigate what you need to be successful on your chosen path. Do you need to go to grad school? What classes should you be taking? Are internships important to your field, or is something else weighted more heavily? For me, I’ve realized that the most important part of my resume is not job experience, but the statistical packages I can program in. See if there are similar norms in your discipline.
Sometimes, You Come First
Taking care of yourself should be a student’s first priority. No one can take classes, work, be in student orgs, maintain friendships, or balance any other commitments we encounter, unless you’re mentally and physically healthy first. Be conscious of yourself and your needs. If comparing yourself to someone makes you feel like you need an internship, but you can barely handle your classes as is, guess what: you shouldn’t take an internship. Your needs are different than that student’s, and that’s okay.
Similarly, it’s okay to prioritize what you want instead of what you “should” want. Next year I will be an RA on the Vern. I’ve been told I shouldn’t take the position because I should stay on Foggy Bottom—but I love being an RA, I love the honors community, and I love working with freshmen. I’ve realized that my passions don’t have to align with the choices that others would make.
Conclusion- Stop Comparing Apples to Oranges
In summary, if you’re not the typical GW student, by golly, stop feeling bad about it. You’re great too. Look for other accomplishments, figure out how to be successful in your discipline, and take care of yourself. You’re going to be fine. I believe in you!

Hiring SAT Tutors for Summer SAT Camp

Job/Internship Opportunity

The Yleana Leadership Academy is interested in recruiting students as Teachers/Counselors for a transformative SAT summer camp. We’re looking specifically for people who would be willing to work hard and have an amazing time creating a summer camp experience for kids; it’s a ton of work but a LOT of fun!

The Yleana Leadership Academy is a residential summer academy which serves rising high school seniors from Boston, NYC, Philadelphia, and Baltimore and seeks to close the achievement gap through a three-week transformative intervention summer SAT experience. We are part summer camp, part intense SAT training using the Socratic method, and part leadership academy.

Beyond our innovative SAT prep, we explore issues like race, class, and power through our Issues curriculum, an open-forum discussion setting where we question these issues through readings by people like James Baldwin, Junot Diaz, and bell hooks. We also help our students acquire and hone the soft skills they need through our Entrepreneurship class, which culminates in a one-day startup fair with entrepreneurs from everywhere from London to NYC advising the students all day until they face off in a Shark Tank competition.

All of our students qualify for free or reduced lunch and most are first-generation; all students attend on full scholarship. Besides studying for the SAT, being part of Issues and taking Entrepreneurship classes, students enjoy a traditional summer camp experience (complete with Friday night campfires!) while becoming a part of a welcoming and introspective camp community. One of the greatest compliments we received in 2014 came from a student who had been in foster care and had had trouble with her parents telling us that Yleana was the first place she felt safe, like people really cared about her. We strive to create and promote that atmosphere – a loving, caring, safe place for kids who haven’t always had it easy.

In 2015, our average score improvement in a 3-week period was 250 points on the SAT. Besides just raising our kids’ SAT scores, we also ensure that they have the one-on-one financial aid follow-up that they need in order to apply those SAT scores to the schools that would meet both their financial and academic needs.  To learn more about us, check out our promotional video (which gives the look and feel of an Yleana experience):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrHzrsYo5Sc

Interested in learning more? Go here

2017 Employment Dates: June 17 – August 14, 2017

Apply here!

Application deadline: March 15, 2017. We review applications as they are submitted; we accept them on a rolling basis – so apply now! We will also review those applications submitted after March 15, but will give priority to those applications submitted earlier. An earlier submission improves your chances of being considered.

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