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From South Africa to student body president: Meet Schar School sophomore Jonathan Dubois

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 19 Feb 2026 16:59:41 +0000

From South Africa to student body president: Meet Schar School sophomore Jonathan Dubois Andrew J Schappert Thu, 02/19/2026 - 11:59

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As a young boy born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and living in the country of South Africa, Jonathan Dubois was fascinated by the legal proceedings, high-stakes corporate law battles, and sharp dialogue of the American television show Suits.

Undergraduate Student Body President Jonathan Dubois: ‘The more I got involved, the more of an impact I realized I could make.‘ Photo by Zoë Oliver

Fast forward. Dubois, who immigrated to the United States when he was 18, is now a sophomore studying international security and law in the Schar School of Policy and Government at �鶹��Ƶ. As of late January, he also serves as the president of the undergraduate student body following a term as executive vice president.

Dubois says his interest in international law and advocacy stems from the first-hand realization of “how little influence or say countries have over their resources,” he said. “It all comes down to the policies that are made, whether that be multilateral or bilateral agreements. I want to be able to be that change in leveling the playing field.”

As the chief elected officer of George �鶹��Ƶ’s undergraduate student body, Dubois manages a cabinet of peer officials and advocates for nearly 30,000 students, serving as a voice to the school’s top leadership. He also participates in meetings with the governor-appointed Board of Visitors (albeit without a vote) and raises concerns about academics, campus life, and costs.

Dubois came to the United States specifically to pursue higher education. The Schar School’s three-year-old international security and law degree program, one of the first of its kind in the country to combine the academic subjects, caught his attention.

“And with George �鶹��Ƶ being so close to [Washington], D.C., there are plenty of networking opportunities,” he said.

During his first year at the school, Dubois expressed interest in joining the undergraduate student government. He spoke to upper class members of the organization who suggested he devote time to understanding how student government works and to get to know the student body.

As it happened, he discovered that becoming involved in campus government was another way of deepened his understanding of his academic major.

“The more I got involved, the more of an impact I realized I could make,” he said. “What initially made me run [for vice president] was how I saw all types of students being affected [by campus policies], whether you are the traditional student who stays on campus, the student who has a child, a commuter, or any other type of student.

“Every student has different needs, and I wanted to be able to help students to address those needs.”

As student government enters the final months of spring semester, Dubois plans to have student government have a “more integrated stake in the overall George �鶹��Ƶ community,” he said.

His aim, he said, is to broaden the access for students who are interested in participating in student government.

“The more students we get on board, the more students can be involved, he said. “And the more students who can give their input, the more we can get [implement] their initiatives, and we can get their voices heard.”

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Mike Pence Makes Schar School Debut as Professor of Practice

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 12 Feb 2026 13:18:26 +0000

Mike Pence Makes Schar School Debut as Professor of Practice Andrew J Schappert Thu, 02/12/2026 - 08:18

Mike Pence shakes hands with Schar School senior Elijah Lawrence, who said, ‘It’s actually really refreshing to see a public leader be so adamant and energetic about teaching us—the American public—about our history.’

Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States, and former Counsel to the Vice President and Solicitor of Labor Greg Jacob greeted some 150 �鶹��Ƶ students for the first class of the spring semester by navigating the intricate and often-overlooked history behind the American Constitution.

Mike Pence, left, and co-instructor Greg Jacob during the debut class: ‘Their passion for the history of the Constitution was undeniable, actually palpable.’ Photos by Buzz McClain/Schar School of Policy and Government

The course, The Character of the American Constitution, invites undergraduate and master’s students at George �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar School of Policy and Government to explore the ideas that shaped our nation and their relevance to contemporary controversies regarding executive power, civil rights, elections, and the faithful execution of the law.

For many students, the experience of learning about constitutional governance cotaught by Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice Pence and a career constitutional lawyer was a rare and compelling opportunity.

“I want to learn more about Pence’s perspective on the Constitution, how he believes we should run our government and criminal justice system,” said Logan Miller, a first-year international security and law and Honors College student at the Schar School. “I also want to know more about the history of the Constitution and the history of the United States in general.”

Miller was not disappointed. Throughout the first class, Pence and Jacob walked students through the origins of the Declaration of Independence, exploring what the Declaration meant and where the writers got the ideas. Pence provided insight from the perspective of a politician and vice president while Jacob offered the insight of a constitutional scholar.

“One of the big things I noticed when it comes to [Pence] teaching, is how passionate he is for the United States, our Constitution, our founding documents, and our founding ideologies,” said Elijah Lawrence, a senior also studying international security and law. “It’s actually really refreshing to see a public leader be so adamant and energetic about teaching us—the American public—about our history.”

Sophomore Max Castner, who is a government and international politics major, agreed.

“Their passion for the history of the Constitution was undeniable, actually palpable,” Castner said. “They detailed what the framers thought and why they wrote it the way they did. It is an intensive class. They really care about and love the Constitution.”

Pence joined the Schar School professor of practice faculty in August shortly after the appointment of former Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell (R). Former Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) is also on the Schar School faculty.

For the Schar School, The Character of the American Constitution reflects its commitment to mixing academic analysis with real-world experience. By bringing together the vice president’s perspective and Jacob’s background as a seasoned lawyer, the course offers students a front-row seat to how the nation’s founding charter operates under pressure.

Pence and adjunct professor Jacob teach course numbers GOVT 319-005 and POGO 550-005.

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International Security and Music: A Graduating 18-Year-Old’s Global Journey at the Schar School

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 10 Feb 2026 17:19:07 +0000

International Security and Music: A Graduating 18-Year-Old’s Global Journey at the Schar School Andrew J Schappert Tue, 02/10/2026 - 12:19

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Josef Wolpert knew early that he wanted to understand how the world works when it comes to power, conflict, and security. As a graduating senior in �鶹��Ƶ’s International Security and Law undergraduate program at the Schar School of Policy and Government, he has already begun carving out a path that blends academic rigor, regional expertise, and an unusually global perspective for someone his age.

Josef Wolpert plays the dombra, a traditional Kazakh musical instrument on Lake Kaindy in Southeastern Kazakhstan. Photo provided

He’s 18. He will, he said, “barely be turning 19 when I get my degree” in May.

When he began looking at universities in Virginia, several options were on the table. What ultimately drew him to George �鶹��Ƶ was proximity—to Washington, D.C., to opportunity, and to practitioners.

“It seems like all the professors that are former FBI, CIA, DIA—whatever you want, they have it here,” he said. “If I’m going to follow this track, I want to be surrounded by those kinds of people.”

The decision has shaped his academic experience. Wolpert transferred to George �鶹��Ƶ as a junior after completing two associate degrees at John Tyler Community College (now Brightpoint Community College) near his hometown of Richmond, Virginia. He entered one of the first cohorts of the International Security and Law Program, a one-of-a-kind degree program that prepares graduates to become leaders in the face of security threats, from weather disasters to cyberattacks to nuclear proliferation and more.

The program’s applied focus, Wolpert said, confirmed that he had chosen the right field—and the right place.

“That was mostly the deciding factor,” he said. “Just the amazing faculty that the Schar School has.”

Within international security, Wolpert’s interests have narrowed toward Russia, Eurasia, and cybersecurity, an emphasis shaped by both language and lived experience. Fluent in German as well as his native English, Wolpert studied abroad in Kazakhstan through the U.S. Department of State’s National Security Language Initiative for Youth, spending a summer immersed in Russian-language study and regional context.

That experience continues to inform his academic work. When he does research regarding Russia, he does it in Russian, which, he said, “is very helpful; it gives me an edge.”

That edge was on display in a recent op-ed he authored and published with the encouragement of Schar School Associate Professor Mahmut Cengiz, a renowned terrorism scholar and a research professor at the Schar School’s Terrorism, Transnational Crime and Corruption Center. The assignment asked students to examine a threat to American security; Wolpert focused on Russia and cybersecurity, drawing on coursework, language skills, and personal networks.

The resulting essay, ”Russian Cyberwarfare Doctrine and America’s Counterstrategy,” was published in January by Modern Diplomacy, an international journal of global policy and academic analysis based in Bulgaria.

"Looking ahead five years,” said Cengiz, “I would not be surprised to see Josef serving as a security analyst or policy advisor focused on European and Eurasian affairs, where his German- and Russian-language skills, intellectual seriousness, and creative discipline will allow him to bridge analysis, strategy, and diplomacy."

As his undergraduate career winds down, Wolpert is weighing graduate school options, with the Schar School’s top-rated international security program at the top of his list.

“That’s my dream program,” he said.

When he is not studying and preparing for his future, Wolpert plays cello—and just about every other stringed instrument that crosses his peripatetic path.

“Music has always been a really big part of my life,” he said. “I really excelled at cello, and I’ve played in orchestras. I’ve met [famed cellist] Yo-Yo Ma on several occasions.”

Wolpert’s musical expertise goes beyond the cello.

“I’ve picked up several other instruments,” Wolpert said. “When I went to Kazakhstan, I picked up dombra, basically a two-stringed guitar. I also know how to play balalaika, which is a Russian three-stringed guitar. If I go somewhere and they have a local instrument, I always pick one up and figure out how to play it.”

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Taiwan Security Monitor: Research Project Turns into a Vital Communication Platform for a Threatened Part of the World

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 27 Oct 2025 15:44:27 +0000

Taiwan Security Monitor: Research Project Turns into a Vital Communication Platform for a Threatened Part of the World Andrew J Schappert Mon, 10/27/2025 - 11:44

Taiwan lacks its own cable repair vessels, meaning damage to underwater cables crucial to the island nation’s international communications and internet connectivity can take six to eight weeks or more to repair. The lack of repair capabilities is a serious resilience risk and a dire national security concern for a county that is in the crosshairs of China.

From left, Noah Reed, Michael Hunzeker, and Joe O'Connor. Photo by Evan Cantwell/Office of University Branding

That unsettling discovery was made by student researchers at the Taiwan Security Monitor (TSM), a student-driven online research initiative housed at the Schar School of Policy and Government at �鶹��Ƶ.

Directed by founder Michael Hunzeker, a Schar School associate professor and associate director of the Center for Security Policy Studies, TSM operates with a staff of 18 undergraduate and graduate students who learn to use sophisticated mapping and analytic tools to research Taiwan’s vulnerabilities and strengths.

Hunzeker said the web platform began in 2021 as “an informal research project to create an open-source intelligence map of the Indo-Pacific.” The first iteration was created with the help of then-graduate student Sophia Lutz, BA Global Affairs '20, MA International Security '22, and several volunteer undergraduates.

The project “has evolved exponentially in ways I could not have possibly envisioned when I set off down this path," Hunzeker said.

In 2024, TSM relaunched with the help of the newly recruited researchers—including PhD, masters, and undergraduate students working collaboratively—and a higher profile and a social media presence boasting some 25,000 followers on X in just a few months.

“We have had at least two tweets with over a million views,” Hunzeker said, an indication that the platform is being recognized—and taken seriously.

A recent map created by Schar School students for the Taiwan Security Monitor: The research platform ‘has evolved exponentially in ways I could not have possibly envisioned when I set off down this path,’ said Michael Hunzeker.

“We’ve grown from a small team with limited scope to something that compares to think tanks in terms of insight and contributions to discourse on Taiwan,” said Schar School senior Noah Reed, a government and international politics major.

Reed, who is TSM’s research director, has been with the project since coming to George �鶹��Ƶ as a freshman. He was intrigued not only by the research but by the tools that the TSM employs.

TSM uses open-source intelligence (OSINT) to generate data, visualizations, maps, thematic case studies, and other resources for scholars and policy communities. Its updates on arms sales and deliveries, military movements, and maritime and air activity provide accessible information that supports public discourse and informs decision-makers charged with protecting the country from adversaries.

“We also provide tailored data and imagery analysis for private sector companies,” Hunzeker added. “Our work and our researchers have been cited by the Wall Street Journal, Taiwan Plus, CNA/Focus Taiwan, Le Monde, Newsweek, and Taiwan News.”

“We’ve attracted some attention,” said TSM research team lead Joe O’Connor. As a freshman, the international security and law senior discovered the opportunity to work with Hunzeker on the TSM project through the Schar School’s Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP). URAP places students interested in learning research methods with faculty mentors who share the same interests.

Monitoring destroyers as they move through the Taiwan Strait and tracking arms sales backlogs for four to six hours a week has inspired O’Connor to pursue intelligence as a post-graduate career, perhaps, “in the public service, in the Pentagon, auditing, something in the policy-making field,” he said.

Noah Reed: ‘Not only do we learn and teach how to bridge the language barrier while doing research, but also we get hands-on experience with things like satellite imagery, geolocation, data visualization, and more.’

Reed said TSM teaches its researchers a unique set of skills not found elsewhere at George �鶹��Ƶ. “Not only do we learn and teach how to bridge the language barrier while doing research, but also we get hands-on experience with things like satellite imagery, geolocation, data visualization, and more,” he said. "That helps in pretty much all your research outside of the project but also gives you experience to do anything, from open-source human rights and arms control verification to supply chain risk management.”

Most of the TSM team is made up of volunteers, he said, while other receive a course credit as they acquire research skills.

“We do it because we enjoy the work and think we’re positively contributing to the research environment on Taiwan’s security,” he added.

If any of this sounds interesting, said Reed, “and you have prior experience researching OSINT or Taiwan, you should consider applying to the project.”

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Balancing Oars and Advocacy: Schar School Senior June Johnson’s Leadership Journey

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 23 Oct 2025 16:50:23 +0000

Balancing Oars and Advocacy: Schar School Senior June Johnson’s Leadership Journey Andrew J Schappert Thu, 10/23/2025 - 12:50

“I didn’t know rowing existed in high school. There was no team in my area because we didn’t have a river near us,” said June Johnson, a senior International Security and Law major in the Schar School of Policy and Government and an Honors College student. Now a coxswain on �鶹��Ƶ’s women’s rowing team, the Warrenton, Virginia, native balances her sports career, passion for law, and activism for athletes’ mental health.

June Johnson: ‘My grandma would tell me how great [George �鶹��Ƶ] students treated her, how great the faculty was, [and] how that experience was so empowering for her.’ Photos by George �鶹��Ƶ Athletics

For the uninitiated, the coxswain position is the boat leader, steering and motivating rowers for speed. Which suits Johnson perfectly.

Johnson’s success started with a lucky coincidence.

“When I came to George �鶹��Ƶ, they had a booth for rowing, and I thought ‘hmm, maybe I should try that,’ so that’s how I got into [rowing],” Johnson said.

And now, more than two years later, she finds that “it’s really been the best experience,” she said. “The coaches are incredible and my team is super supportive.”

For Johnson, sports and leadership go far beyond the boat, as she is also a leader in the athlete advocacy space. She runs the A-10 Conference Student Athlete Advisory Council and advocates for mental health support for young athletes.

That advocacy is built on “finding the balance of helping grow people’s leadership [abilities] to the point they are able to speak on [advocacy] platforms, and making sure their needs are met as well as bringing together people who are already confident and want to speak up,” Johnson said.

Having realized law school would be her goal as early as her freshman year of college, Johnson emailed Assistant Professor Phillip Mink, the director of the Patriot Pre-Law Program in the Schar School, and, seeing untapped potential, expressed interest in bringing more activity to the organization.

“I was initially skeptical of June’s plan to reorganize the club,” Mink said. “But then she started talking, and her energy level was palpable. She was so fearless, confident, and articulate that I immediately felt comfortable with her leadership.”

After getting on board, Johnson helped find a team of dedicated board members and got to work. “It was a great first year, and we did nine events each semester,” said Johnson. She is now president of the program.

Having graduated from high school early, Johnson wasn’t sure where to go for college. Her grandmother, Shirley Metzger, BS Social Work '01, a George �鶹��Ƶ alumna, stepped in to help.

Johnson as coxswain: ‘It’s really been the best experience. The coaches are incredible and my team is super supportive.’

“My grandma would tell me how great students treated her, how great the faculty was, [and] how that experience was so empowering for her,” Johnson said. She couldn’t resist applying.

When asked how she is able to manage so many commitments, Johnson said, “I have such a great support network.”

She believes having people that you can trust and talk to makes a big difference, and she is lucky to have that. “Careful planning and love for what you do” are the other two ingredients of success, she added.

From advocacy for mental health to pre-law resources, Johnson always does the most that she can and helps those around her build a supportive community.

“Everything I do is because I love people in my life,” Johnson said.

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Beyond Borders: Schar School Master's Student Redefines Security Through Human Experience

Andrew J Schappert — Mon, 29 Sep 2025 19:43:53 +0000

Beyond Borders: Schar School Master's Student Redefines Security Through Human Experience Andrew J Schappert Mon, 09/29/2025 - 15:43

Nathan Stolzenfeld frames their research around the lived experiences of people rather than just the borders of states. That is something the first-year student in �鶹��Ƶ’s Schar School of Policy and Government’s Master of International Security Program has been thinking about since their undergraduate years.

Nathan Stolzenfeld, with Associate Professor Lucas Núñez, accepts the Outstanding Senior in International Security and Law award in May. Photo by John Boal Photography

“If we keep our language to purely discussing the bordered nature of politics, we can't really effectively solve those problems,” they said. “It's incredibly important to remember that when we are having discussions about the entire body of Taiwan, or the entire body of China, or any other country, that there are people in these countries. They have real risks presented to them by things that are not state-based violence, like climate change or gender-based violence, disease, all of those issues—they cross borders.”

Stolzenfeld’s research focuses on East Asia, specifically the contested statehood of Taiwan, a longstanding issue that has taken on new importance in recent years.

As an undergraduate in the Schar School’s international security and law (ISL) program (Stolzenfeld finished in three years), they worked in the Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP) with renowned immigration expert Professor Justin Gest and Associate Professor Michael Hunzeker.

Stolzenfeld was one of the first five graduates with a bachelor of arts in international security and law from the Schar School, and they are expanding on the concept of security with their research and understanding of political theory. The draw of the ISL program was “the specificity of the major,” Stolzenfeld said, adding that Hunzeker, director of the Taiwan Security Monitor, successfully championed the program.

While the 2025 Outstanding Senior in International Security and Law might have graduated into a promising job in their chosen field, Stolzenfeld felt more knowledge and preparation was called for. In fact, the Honors College and University Scholars alum said the driving force to pursue a master’s degree in international security at the Schar School was the professors.

“All of my professors have been really engaged with helping me formulate ideas and making sure that I'm always heading in the right direction, even if I don't align with their beliefs or how they perceive the world,” Stolzenfeld said.

It was one of their Honors College courses, Ruins of the Apocalypse, taught by Assistant Professor Benjamin Renne, that provided further inspiration. The Honors College curriculum supplemented Stolzenfeld’s Schar School classes on international security “and it helped me take the concepts I learned in a more holistic way and apply them to the classes for my major,” they said.

“Different forms of media—be it video, video games, photography—can be used to make political statements, and they can be used as forms of representation, advocacy, or resistance if needed,” they said. Things as far flung as “climate fiction and apocalyptic fiction can be used to spur social change.”

A few weeks into their graduate program, Stolzenfeld knows what is next to achieve: self-discovery.

“I would like to experience more, travel more, read more, and just figure out myself,” they said.

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A Place to Belong, A Space to Grow: Learning Communities at the Schar School

Andrew J Schappert — Wed, 28 May 2025 17:26:43 +0000

A Place to Belong, A Space to Grow: Learning Communities at the Schar School Andrew J Schappert Wed, 05/28/2025 - 13:26

When it comes to preparing students for the complex, unpredictable world of public service, the Schar School of Policy and Government at �鶹��Ƶ is not content with conventional classrooms. Instead, it has invested in a transformative model of undergraduate education known as “learning communities” (LCs).

Learning Communities take students beyond the classroom and into the key institutions of Washington, D.C., for firsthand experience where policy is created. Above, the First-Year Democracy Lab poses at the U.S. Capitol after meeting lawmakers and their staffs. Photos provided

These immersive, yearlong programs offer cohorts of students a mix of academic rigor, real-world experience, and faculty mentorship, all within an environment designed to feel more like a home base than a lecture hall. In addition to academic growth, these communities emphasize professional development—helping students build critical skills, networks, and experiences that position them for success in internships, graduate school, and careers in public service.

Across four distinct communities—International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF), First-Year Democracy Lab (FY Dem Lab), Upper-Level Democracy Lab (UL Dem Lab), and Jurisprudence Learning Community (JPLC)—students are not only learning policy and governance but living it.

Launched as a virtual program in fall 2020, the first learning community evolved into what is now the First-Year Democracy Lab. Since then, the initiative has expanded rapidly, driven by strong student interest in experiential, community-centered education. The LCs give participants the benefits of a small college atmosphere while taking advantage of the considerable advanced resources of a Carnegie R1 research institution with more than 40,000 students, the largest public university in Virginia. George �鶹��Ƶ is also a Carnegie Opportunity College, indicating proven accessibility, return on investment, and upward mobility for graduates, and these programs showcase those features.

A Task Force That Tackles the Real World

To understand how to better create and communicate policy, the International Relations Policy Task Force traveled to the U.S.-Mexico border, seen as a fence in the middle distance.

In the IRTF, students are charged with identifying and addressing some of the world’s most intractable problems. Under the guidance of Associate Professor Eric McGlinchey, they craft policy solutions rooted in deep research and human experience. This isn’t armchair theorizing—it’s engagement with the real world.

“Professor McGlinchey’s ability to foster a sense of community, guide discussion, and lead us helped me flourish as a student,” said senior government and international politics (GVIP) major Nicholas Chervenak, a combat engineer in the U.S. Army who graduated from George �鶹��Ƶ in May. He was particularly pleased with how well the content of the community supported his future goals. “After this year together, I feel confident in my understanding of the government, philanthropy, think tanks, immigration, and foreign policy.”

Both Chervenak and fellow GVIP major Sofía Lorenzo, a Student Government senator, echoed how transformative the policy paper writing process was, offering an energizing mixture of constructive criticism and encouragement.

“It was so fun to hear about my peers’ findings and be involved throughout the process with one another. It was such an uplifting experience,” said Lorenzo, winner of the Women and Gender Studies Program’s 2025 Feminist Leadership Award and an intern for the late U.S. Rep. Gerry Connelly (D).

“I loved the community it created—it was like a village. It takes a village to raise an IRTF scholar,” she joked.

McGlinchey points to how the students connect their classroom learning with the networking opportunities he creates.

“In the fall semester, we met with colleagues at [Ukrainian nonprofit] Razom,” he said. “In the spring semester, we traveled to the United States-Mexico border and learned from counterparts in El Paso and Juárez how changing U.S. immigration policy can profoundly impact deeply interconnected communities.”

Demystifying the Law

Taking advantage of the Schar School’s proximity to Washington, D.C., Upper-Level Democracy Lab students visited the renowned think tank, the Cato Institute, and met with policy researchers.

The JPLC, directed by Assistant Professor Shea Holman, offers a law school-like experience for undergraduates. Students don’t just read about the law, they simulate jury selections, analyze real Supreme Court cases, and meet judges and prosecutors. It’s more than an education, the students said, it’s a revelation.

For GVIP May 2025 graduate Madison Quick, one moment stood out.

“The most impactful experience I had in the JPLC course was volunteering at the Fairfax County General District Court,” said Quick. “I watched my first civil proceeding, specifically a protective order. That experience made me realize that I wanted to practice civil law—and become a judge.”

Holman, a lawyer and policy advocate specializing in workplace harassment reform, gender equity, and civil rights, notes how JPLC demystifies the legal profession through mentorship and real-world exposure.

“Our GOVT 301 course mimics the intensity and structure of a [first year] 1L law school curriculum,” she said.

One student, Holman said, leveraged her class experience to secure an internship at the Legal Services Corporation, the largest funder of civil legal aid for low-income Americans.

This example of a direct bridge from classroom-to-career is not an accident, it’s an intentional ambition of the LCs.

Building Democracy, One First-Year at a Time

The First-Year Democracy Lab was the Schar School’s first foray into learning communities, with more than 60 incoming students signing on for the first in-person cohort in fall 2021.

Led by Associate Professor Jennifer N. Victor, FY Dem Lab introduces incoming students to the foundations of democratic engagement and research. Just as important, it connects them to a network of mentors, faculty, and peers that continues long after the first year.

“The FY Dem Lab is the gateway learning community,” said Victor. “The community, connections, and access to Schar School and George �鶹��Ƶ resources keep many of them looking to reinforce these experiences as they continue their education.”

For 2025 GVIP graduate Ruthu Josyula, the FY Dem Lab was catalytic.

“As a freshman, I worked with Professor Victor on the First-Year Democracy Lab voter turnout study,” she said, referencing a research project intended to understand voting patterns among young voters (hint: campaigns relying on digital platforms are misguided).

“I had the incredible opportunity to present preliminary findings of this research,” she said. Conferences give students experience in presenting in front of practitioners from higher education, community organizations, nonprofits, foundations, and small businesses, all dedicated to encouraging student involvement in research.

The impact of these beyond-the-campus relationships ripples outward.

“Being a part of First-Year Dem Lab connected me to Dr. Victor and many other students and faculty,” said Josyula, who the next year joined the IRTF community for deeper engagement. “I owe many of my collegiate experiences to the different things I learned and experienced in Dem Lab.”

Rising sophomore GVIP sophomore Emebet Neale discovered newfound confidence in Dem Lab.

“Dr. Victor has had a major influence on me,” said the Student Government senator. “From the start, she’s created an environment where students feel heard, supported, and encouraged. That kind of mentorship, especially so early in college, is rare.”

Neale emphasized the human connection that makes FY Dem Lab unique, including the Peer Pathways program that links First-Year and Upper-Level Dem Lab students in mentorship relationships. It’s an outreach program that provides academic and personal guidance, highlighted by an advice-laden panel discussion and breakout conversations about goal setting, dealing with stress, and overcoming failures.

“The Peer Pathways event was a wonderful and meaningful experience for me,” Neale said. “It helped create a supportive network of peers and mentors who want to see each other succeed.”

Upperclassmen, Deeper Dives

The Upper-Level Democracy Lab, taught by Associate Professor Lucas Núñez, builds on the freshman LC experience with advanced student-directed research. Students tackle issues such as redistricting, creating their own maps using real data, and presenting their findings with professional polish.

“Students developed their critical thinking and a more nuanced understanding of the interaction between law, ethics, politics, and geographical realities,” said Núñez.

Just as important, the yearlong cohort model builds lasting relationships and trust.

“As a faculty member, this continuity allows me to better get to know students as individuals,” Núñez added.

That deeper connection made all the difference for GVIP major Neelam Gurung.

“The most impactful experience I had in the Upper-Level Dem Lab course was meeting guest speakers, especially during the alumni dinner,” she said. “These conversations helped me reflect on my own goals and gave me a clearer picture of what paths align with my interests and values.”

Rising junior international security and law major Georges Saade, another UL Dem Lab student, highlighted the personal attention. “Professor Núñez is not just a great professor, but a great resource and mentor to have,” he said. “He really cares about all his students and makes everyone feel included.”

More Than Coursework

The common thread running through all these stories is confidence. By developing relationships among participants, students gain a strong sense of purpose and direction, and are positioned for success during their time on campus and after graduation.

“The impact of JPLC is most clearly reflected in our students’ achievements and evolving sense of self-efficacy,” said Holman. “They have discovered a belief in their ability to succeed in law school and beyond.”

Victor agrees. “When I see Dem Lab alumni in my other classes, they are often the most enthusiastic students in the room. They are ready to learn from their peers, contribute constructively, and share the depths of their knowledge.”

McGlinchey puts it simply: “IRTF students provide real-world solutions to real-world challenges and graduate from the learning community ready to apply their newly honed skillsets in diverse policy environments.”

Clearly, these learning community “villages” aren’t just innovations in teaching, they are platforms for transformation. For students, they represent the difference between getting by at a university and thriving within it.

During a two-day visit with justices in Richmond, members of the Jurisprudence Learning Community found themselves literally in the seats of power at the Supreme Court of Virginia.

In This Story

Jennifer N. Victor

Eric McGlinchey

Lucas Núñez

Shea M. Holman Kilian

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Annual Spring Break Trip to U.S.-Mexico Border Changes Perspectives

Andrew J Schappert — Thu, 03 Apr 2025 18:07:03 +0000

Annual Spring Break Trip to U.S.-Mexico Border Changes Perspectives Andrew J Schappert Thu, 04/03/2025 - 14:07

The spring break trip to the U.S.-Mexico border featured discussions as well as excursions.

For their March 2025 spring break, eight members of the International Relations Policy Task Force (IRTF) at �鶹��Ƶ's Schar School of Policy and Government and one Global Affairs student, along with Associate Professor Eric McGlinchey and Assistant Director of Student Engagement Emilee Duffy, traveled to the United States-Mexico border for a firsthand look at immigration issues and the challenges facing those living and working in the area.

Students got an up-close look at the border wall.

Abara, a nonprofit organization based in El Paso, Texas, dedicated to fostering peace through educational programs around immigration and border realities, hosted the students for the weeklong study-abroad trip, which is also a 1-credit course.

The packed agenda mixed discussions about migration root causes, historic and current border realities, and dignified storytelling and ethical volunteerism with visits to the border fence, a migrant shelter run by Abara, and the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez across a bridge in Mexico. There, Schar School students engaged in conversation with their peers in the Department of Social Sciences and bonded over their similar tastes in music. IRTF students also toured Ciudad Neuva, a nonprofit committed to advancing the renewal and development of central El Paso’s Rio Grande neighborhood before departing for White Sands National Park.

For Sarah Elpers, a junior government and international politics and geology double major, the trip clarified that some concepts benefit from an in-person learning experience.

A visit to White Sands National Park concluded the week.

“The articles we read are incredibly well written and informative, but they certainly paint a picture in your mind that isn’t always true,” she said. “This trip taught me that many Americans perceive the border as very dangerous and the bane of the country. In reality, however, it’s just another part of people’s lives. It’s very easy to believe what certain media puts out but being able to actually see what the border and immigration process is like puts things in perspective.”

Hakeem Osman, a junior government and international politics major, said the expedition helped him better understand immigration and policy as it pertains to people on both sides of the border. A high point for him was the visit to the migrant shelter, where he and his colleagues shared a meal with people in the process of migrating and learned more about their stories.

“This moment was impactful for me because it really highlighted the way that media narratives and reality often diverge,” he said. “Throughout the week we explored many heavy themes but we also found joy and friendship in these solemn moments. If you’re in the policy sphere I encourage you to take a step back and question the narratives shaping your perception of migrants and the immigration process. Narrative precedes policy and as policymakers it is imperative to remember that the policies you make affect real people.”

At the end of the week, students left with a broader viewpoint on the border crisis, one that may have differed from the one they arrived with.

For more information about the International Relations Policy Task Force or any of the Schar School’s other learning communities, visit this website.

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Topics

BA International Security and Law

International Relations Policy Task Force

study abroad