Guest Blog: M.I.P.P. student, Ronny Carlton

We recently asked Ronny Carlton, a current M.I.P.P. (our mid-career program) student, to explain why he chose the Elliott School, his program and what he has enjoyed so far.  Read what he has to say!

What drew you to the Elliott School and the M.I.P.P. program?

I’d started working on Capitol Hill almost immediately after my undergrad in 1998.  But after more than a decade as a legislative aide, it felt like the time was ripe to finally fulfill my crazy dream to get that grad degree in international affairs.

It really wasn’t hard to choose the Elliott School.  If you look at the top international affairs graduate schools in the nation, D.C. is home to several.   Like most prospective grad students, I took the time to meet with the Admissions offices for each in our fair city.  The Elliott School was among the first I visited, and I immediately had the sense that it would be my top choice.

The admissions office was extremely welcoming and informative.  I could not have been more impressed with their knowledge and ability to answer questions – even those I didn’t know to ask, the “unknown unknowns” so to speak.  It was clear how proud they were of the school, and I, frankly, needed the “hand-holding” they provided to explain the particulars of the MIPP program and the admissions process.

I was also really attracted to the Elliott School’s course offerings.  There are so many interesting classes one can take that it can sometimes be a challenge keeping within the number of credit hours available per semester!

The real deal-sealer for me was the “practitioner” aspect of the Elliott School faculty.  It is incredible how many of my professors were full time employees at one of the agencies in the foreign policy sector.  These folks really know their stuff because many of them live it day-in and day-out.  I can’t imagine too many schools can lay claim to such an array of on-the-job talent.

Who has been your favorite professor so far?

I’m tempted to name either of the two I currently have classes with!  Actually, Yvonne Captain, the M.I.P.P. director, was among the best professors I’ve had, and she has been an outstanding mentor.  The M.I.P.P. Seminar which she led was fascinating.  She brought in ambassadors, scientists, business professionals, and others who brought unique angles on U.S. foreign policy.  It was a true eye-opener every week.  If I could, I would take that class again in a heartbeat!

What advice do you have for enrolling students?

Get to know the expert at advisors at the Graduate Student Career Development Center (GSCDC).  Meet with them early, and meet with them often!  It is a fantastic resource, not only for learning about job openings but also discussing how to strengthen your resume and improve interview skills.  It’s great stuff!

Where do you hope to be after graduating?

If all goes as planned, in just three months, I’ll receive my Master’s in International Policy & Practice from the Elliott School.  It’s hard to believe that the finish line is so close!  I couldn’t have hoped for a better experience.

Honestly, I don’t have a single place in mind.  Right now, I’m pursuing a couple of fellowship opportunities (thanks to the Elliott School), and I’ll take the Foreign Service exam later this fall.   Where I land is an open question, but I’m confident that the Elliott School has prepared me for whatever is next.

Thanks so much Ronny for your thoughts!  We really appreciate it and wish you well in your future!

 

Programs, Professors Recognized in New Rankings

From GW Today on Jan. 5, 2012

The George Washington University Elliott School of International Affairs’ programs and faculty are among the best in the nation and world, according to a new survey released by an international relations institute at the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, VA.

Researchers with the Teaching, Research and International Policy (TRIP) project conducted the survey, which included responses from 1,582 international relations faculty members. Results were published in the magazine Foreign Policy.

In a ranking of scholars who have produced the most interesting scholarship in the past five years, Professors Martha Finnemore and Michael Barnett were listed No. 1 and No. 11 out of 20, respectively. The pair was also ranked as two of 20 scholars who respondents said produced the best work in the field of international relations in the past 20 years. Dr. Finnemore was also No. 13 out of 20 in a ranking of those who have had the greatest influence on the field of international relations in the last 20 years.

Respondents also listed colleges or universities with the best international relations programs. GW’s master’s program ranked No. 7 in the world, up from No. 8 in the 2009 survey. Although Foreign Policy didn’t have any influence on the rankings, it noted in text accompanying the rankings students’ ability to increase their marketable skills in the Master of International Policy and Practice program.

“GW’s Elliott School of International Affairs is proud to be among the elite international affairs schools in the world, as featured in the latest TRIP survey,” said Elliott School Dean Michael E. Brown. “We owe this ranking to our extraordinary faculty—including Martha Finnemore and Michael Barnett, who were cited in the survey for their superb scholarship—as well as our world-class undergraduate and master’s programs. The Elliott School is educating the next generation of international leaders, conducting cutting-edge research on critical global problems and making a real difference in the world.”

See the full survey here, and read Foreign Policy’s report here.

Spring Semester 2012 Starts Soon

Each spring semester, the Elliott School welcomes a small group of new students.  The MA programs in International Science and Technology Policy and Security Policy Studies have spring admission, and many of our other MAs allow applicants admitted to the fall semester to defer to spring.  Our mid-career program the Master of International Policy and Practice (MIPP),  our dual-degree with our foreign partner schools the Master of International Studies (MIS), and our graduate certificates have a spring semester start option.  We welcome the newest Elliott School students!

Orientation is scheduled for Friday, January 13, 2012 starting at 9:00 am.  Registration for orientation is still available. Spring classes begin on Tuesday, January 17, 2012.  Incoming students should register for classes now if they have not already done so.

Two months in…..

It was both an exciting and daunting prospect arriving from the UK into the DC heat back in August and starting school again with GW after 10 years in work! Having just returned from 6 months deployed in Afghanistan as a Royal Air Force Personnel Support Officer, serving alongside the US Marine Corps, I had already gained a small insight into the American way. However, I was quite overwhelmed by the friendly reception that I received during my first few days and weeks in the City.

As a graduate student on the Masters in International Policy and Practice (MIPP), I was joining a programme with others who had at least 10 years experience as professionals in the international sphere and what a diverse group they have proven to be. The experience and potential diversity of the class was a significant factor in my decision to apply to GW, and it is a real privilege to be a part of the MIPP group and the Elliott School.  I had such a positive experience when I visited before applying last year that it was going to be tough for the Elliott School to live up to my high expectations, but so far the experience has been everything that I had envisaged.

The first few weeks after I arrived went really fast, as I began to get used to everything from driving on the wrong side of the road to managing the weekly shop without purchasing enough to last a full month! With the added excitement of an earthquake and a hurricane in my first week it was a memorable introduction to both the School and the City! The Elliott School orientation day was very well organized and provided a great opportunity to meet my MIPP classmates and the wider students and staff.  Some of my classmates had been so organized that they had already been in touch before we even started classes!  We all connected really well, the different backgrounds and professional experiences bringing us closer together.  It was useful to discuss our professional backgrounds and the fears and aspirations that we felt coming into the course.  I was relieved to know that others, like myself, were also taking on the course in just one single year.

So the first few weeks of classes have been a great introduction. The classes have a good selection of reading, which is both challenging and insightful; demanding that you consider new and innovative ways to assess current issues. I have been able to combine my classes into 3 evenings so that I have the ability to focus on reading and research in preparation for assignments during the day. I have also made sure to make time to explore the rich cultural insights that the City has to offer.  I purchased a road bike to enable me to commute the 18 mile round trip to Foggy Bottom.  It is mostly along the Mount Vernon trail, keeping me off the roads and giving me the chance to see more of the City each day.  The route passes the Arlington Cemetery, Memorial Bridge and the Lincoln Memorial and it is a daily reminder of the significance of this fantastic location.  It is certainly an amazing trip to school, even in the rain!

I have so far only visited the Museums of American History, with diverse exhibitions from charting the Civil War, to great inventions, and even the inaugural gowns of the first ladies, and of course I had to prioritize the Air and Space Museum.  But with so much on offer, there is still a great deal to see! Foggy Bottom Campus could not be better located, only a short walk from the Smithsonian and monuments. So it is easy to combine classes and cultural visits together. Indeed the other morning I attended the open Senate Hearing of the Armed Service Committee, the last to be attended by Admiral Mullen as the Commander of the Joint Chiefs. It was a really useful insight into the current defense issues and just one example of the ways in which studying in DC can provide a really unique learning experience.

In my spare time I have also been training for the US Marine Corps Marathon (as I signed up with some of my colleagues whilst out in Afghanistan) that takes place later this month.  I have joined the local running club for early morning runs around the City in preparation for the big day, whilst also making the most of the free GW gym facilities.  There are so many sporting clubs to choose from and once again I have been delighted by how welcome I have felt.  As a keen swimmer I have enjoyed participating in the GW Swimming Club, though the training times can be a little challenging for the graduate students (as we have our classes in the evenings), it has proven to be another great way to make new friends.

So even though it is early days, GW and life as a graduate student in DC is proving to be an intense but thoroughly rewarding experience and one that I fully intend to take advantage of.  Only two months in and I cannot believe how quickly the time is passing!

Chantal Baker

MIPP candidate 2012

Personnel Officer, British Royal Air Force

Meet the new MIPP Program Director

We were happy to learn this week that Professor Yvonne Captain will be the new program director for our mid-career Master of International Policy and Practice program (MIPP).

“I am a graduate of the MIPP Program. After teaching at GW for a number of years in literature, I decided to expand my knowledge and research to the social sciences. As a consequence, my research areas have now shifted to reflect my new interests. As the new director of the MIPP Program, I’m honored to follow in the footsteps of all of my predecessors, but most notably Dean Maurice East. I look forward to working closely with all of the students in the program, including alumni.”

Professor Captain teaches courses related to Latin America and International Affairs at The George Washington University. She is an expert on the African Diaspora, and South-South relations, particularly between Latin America and Africa. Her other research and practical expertise lies in the internationalization of college campuses.

She has published, interviewed, and lectured widely on the subjects of internationalization, south-south relations, and the African Diaspora. She is an active participant in issues of shared governance at the university level, having served as a member of The George Washington University’s Faculty Senate and on the Dean’s Council.