Halea Kerr-Layton, MA Global Communication, Class of 2021, #WeAreElliott Current Student
Halea Kerr-Layton is a first-year Presidential Fellow pursuing an M.A. in Global Communication. She graduated from the Elliott School in May 2019 with a B.A. in International Affairs with a second major in Spanish and Latin American Languages, Literatures, and Cultures. Halea works as the Strategic Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at Sustainable GW. Here, she liaises with Sustainable GW’s research, academic, and operations offices to support stakeholder engagement initiatives, organize cohesive events, unified messaging and represents student voices to University administrators to advocate for sustainability. Halea loves learning in globally informed, diverse environments and the Elliott School has provided her opportunities to learn in this type of environment.
What has been your favorite experience at the Elliott School so far and why?
The Elliott School constantly brings diverse speakers to come and talk to students and put on spectacular and interesting events. It has been a joy to attend some of these events over the years.
What courses have you found most helpful in your work/intern/volunteer experiences and how have they been useful?
The skills courses that I have taken have provided some really unique insights and are taught by accomplished practitioners. I really enjoy the opportunity I have had through the skills courses to learn from practitioners and people who are outside of the typical academic realm. This year I have taken Cross-Cultural Communications and Power-Talks which both were great opportunities to learn from instructors who have long careers in foreign affairs and communications.
What resources (online or offline) or strategies have proven to be the most valuable in helping you reach academic success at the Elliott School?
I think that DegreeMap is a great way to monitor your academic progress and to map out potential other classes that you can take. It is a useful tool to use before scheduling an appointment with an advisor.
What advice do you have for prospective students who are on the fence about applying to a graduate program at the Elliott school?
The golden rule of “Location, location, location,” applies to choosing a program at GW. GW is uniquely situated and prides itself in providing support for students to take advantage of DC by working or interning while completing their programs. Not many other graduate schools make such a concerted effort to be flexible and help a student pursue these real-world opportunities to practice what you learn in a classroom out of it.
Favorite place to unwind after class?
One of my favorite places to unwind after class is the back of the Lincoln memorial looking at Arlington Cemetery. It’s a great peaceful place to sit, relax, people-watch, read a book or listen to music.
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The #WeAreElliott profile series is managed by the Elliott School Office of Graduate Admissions and highlights current students to answer common questions posed by prospective, incoming, and current students. For more information on this series or to submit questions, e-mail the Office of Graduate Admissions at esiagrad@gwu.edu.
The views expressed by students profiled do not necessarily represent those of organizations they work for, are affiliated with, or the Elliott School of International Affairs.
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