engaging the world - Elliott School of International Affairs - The ...

School’s 2010 Harry Harding Teaching Prize. The prize
recognizes a member of the Elliott School faculty
who demonstrates sustained excellence in teaching
and who makes extraordinary contributions to the
education of Elliott School students. Professor Gow
has published two books and numerous articles in the
field of international development. In addition to his
distinguished academic career, he also worked at the
World Bank, the United Nations Food and Agriculture
Organization, and the World Resources Institute.
“Four years ago, when we were assisting our daughter evaluate schools, we were extremely
impressed by the diverse curriculum and welcoming environment GW and the Elliott School
had to offer. Now, four years later, we have proudly seen our daughter grow personally and
academically and are even more impressed by the ways in which the Elliott School has
contributed to her life experience.”
— Jack and Pam Cumming
over lunch. Faculty member Susan Sell hosted a
discussion on global governance. Amb. Edward W.
Gnehm Jr. and Marc Lynch hosted a discussion on
the Middle East.
In May 2010, Amb. Edward W. Gnehm Jr., Kuwait
The Elliott School offers a number of programs that
Professor of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs,
was awarded the Foreign Service Cup for his
professional contributions to U.S. foreign policy and
to strengthening the Foreign Service. Amb. Gnehm
Amb. Edward W. Gnehm Jr., Kuwait Professor
of Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Affairs, speaks to
Elliott School students during the new Sophomore
Lunch Series.
enable juniors and seniors to complement their
classroom knowledge with independent research.
Working under the supervision of a faculty member,
more than 75 undergraduate students undertook
served as U.S. ambassador to Kuwait, Jordan, and
Australia and as the director general of the U.S.
Foreign Service. His class on “The Role of an Embassy
in the Conduct of U.S. Foreign Policy” was featured
in the Washington Diplomat.
THe eLLioTT SCHooL eXPeRieNCe
The Elliott School engages its students from the day
to International Affairs, taught by Professor Henry R.
Nau. This course covers a wide range of international
affairs topics, and it links students with vital academic
advising services, helping them to map out a fouryear
plan of study.
In 2010, a new program for Elliott School sophomores
research projects in the 2009-10 academic year
through the Elliott School Undergraduate Scholars
program, the University Honors Program, the Elliott
School Special Honors program, or an Independent
Study Program. Research topics ranged from human
trafficking in Albania to global navigation satellite
system policy.
IDS students Kristin Smith (left) and Brook Olster at a
shea butter production cooperative in Mali, where
they conducted a project evaluation as part of
their capstone.
they arrive on campus through graduation. All
Elliott School freshmen take IAFF 005, Introduction
brought small groups of students together with
members of the faculty for informal discussions
The Elliott School’s Graduate Student Career
Development Office works with graduate students
to find internship and work experience, coordinating
the Central Intelligence Agency, the Defense
Intelligence Agency, Development Alternatives Inc.,
and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
textile cooperative, and BeadforLife, a
jewelry production organization. Shaina
then studied abroad in Bolivia, where she
undertook an independent study project
working with female weavers and dollmakers.
“When I returned to GW from my time
abroad, I realized that my project had
site visits with employers and providing employer
information sessions and career coaching for students
and alumni. Despite the economic downturn, Elliott
School graduate students continued to be successful
on the job front, with 86 percent of 2009 graduates
employed within six months of graduation, up from
82 percent the year before. Top employers of Elliott
School graduate alumni include: Booz Allen Hamilton,
GLoBAL eDUCATioN
Connecting with other countries and cultures is an
important component of an Elliott School education.
To learn first-hand about the history and contemporary
issues that shape international affairs, Elliott School
students are going abroad in record numbers. More
than 75 percent of Elliott School undergraduate
students participate in study abroad programs at
only just begun,” said Shaina. “Craft is a
some point during their studies. The majority of our
medium for expression and an outlet for
creativity. I witnessed the powerful effects
art can deliver in supporting cultural
traditions and promoting new industry in
undergraduate students go abroad for a full semester
or academic year.
economically underdeveloped regions.”
Students in the International Development Studies
Back at GW, Shaina elaborated on her
(IDS) master’s program travel abroad to work on
research as part of the Elliott School
development projects in the field. This year, nine
Elliott School senior Shaina Shealy (center) with artists from the One Mango Tree
organization in Uganda.
Undergraduate Scholars program. With
the help of faculty and graduate student
mentors, she developed her findings
into a thesis, arguing that women’s
student teams traveled to eleven different countries
on behalf of client organizations to conduct
surveys, collect data, and evaluate ongoing
USiNG ART To iMPRoVe LiVeS
Shaina Shealy (B.A. ’10) entered The
George Washington University knowing she
wanted to combine her two academic
passions: global economic justice and fine
arts. An international affairs major at the
Elliott School, Shaina found the intersection
“When I realized that many women around
the world were turning to art production to
improve their quality of life and contribute
to positive social change within their
communities, I was eager to learn more,”
said Shaina.
With the help of a Luther Rice Fellowship
art production can be a catalyst for
economic development, women’s
empowerment, and positive social change
within communities.
Shaina plans to continue her research
in 2010-11 while on a fellowship from the
American Jewish World Service. She will be
working with a rural women’s organization
In March 2010, the Office of Graduate Student
Career Development organized a panel discussion
on “Shortcuts to Finding a Job in the Federal
Government” with Kathryn Troutman (above),
co-author of The Student’s Federal Career Guide:
10 Steps to Find and Win Top Government Jobs and
Internships
projects. Topics ranged from assessing rural water
systems in Honduras to evaluating outreach and
communications projects in Kosovo.
Elliott School students can have an international
experience in Foggy Bottom as well. GW’s student
body includes students from more than 130 countries,
of her interests in the handicraft work
in 2008, Shaina was able to travel to
in Bhuj, India for eleven months, designing
being created and sold by female artists in Uganda, where she worked with women promotional materials for the group’s
developing nations. 4 2009/2010 annual report artisans through One Mango Tree, a
handicraft products.
the elliott school of international affairs 5