Schar School Students Gain Valuable Insights at Council on Foreign Relations Visit

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 02 May 2023 18:50:57 +0000

Schar School Students Gain Valuable Insights at Council on Foreign Relations Visit Andrew J Schappert Tue, 05/02/2023 - 14:50

Request program information

Learn more about the Schar School

Schar School learning community students and their professors pose in front of the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C. Photo by Gretchen Curry/Schar School of Policy and Government

More than 30 students from three of the Schar School of Policy and Government’s student learning communities—Democracy Lab, Pillars of Research, and International Relations Policy Task Force—recently had the opportunity to visit the Council on Foreign Relations in Washington, D.C.

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations is a leading U.S. think tank specializing in foreign policy and international relations. The Council is typically made up of secretaries of state, bankers, lawyers, academics, and others, who focus on issues promoting diplomacy, trade, military cooperation, and other challenges that affect national security in dozens of regions around the world.

Schar School students explored the Council's headquarters located near the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which is adjacent to the White House. Students toured the expressively decorated building, where an array of murals and historical artifacts depict significant scenes from American history, including the signing of the Declaration of Independence, the signing of the Treaty of Paris, and the Battle of Gettysburg.

The students also had the privilege of meeting and engaging with Esther Brimmer, the James A. Binger senior fellow in global governance, and an expert on transatlantic relations and U.S. foreign policy. She shared insights on international organizations and her experience at the State Department. Students had the chance to discuss current events and foreign policy with Brimmer, gaining knowledge about potential career opportunities in international law and foreign policy-related fields.

Schar School senior Shafuq Naseem attended the visit and asked Brimmer about her experience.

“It was interesting to hear about topics I've learned about in courses at the Schar School being applied in a professional setting,” she said.

Caroline McCarry, assistant director of human resources at the Council, encouraged students to apply for the vast number of internships the think tank offers and also invited them to seek employment with the Council after they graduated from the Schar School.

Topics

Democracy Lab

Pillars of Research

International Relations Policy Task Force

Schar School News May 2023

Students

Democracy Lab Learning Community

Meet Student Body President and Schar School Senior Sophia Nguyen

Andrew J Schappert — Tue, 19 Jul 2022 17:47:08 +0000

Meet Student Body President and Schar School Senior Sophia Nguyen Andrew J Schappert Tue, 07/19/2022 - 13:47

Sophia Nguyen never pictured herself as a government major, but she realized that to accomplish her goal of fighting discrimination, she needed the knowledge that comes from studying policy and government.

Now the native of Chesapeake, Virginia, is a senior in the Schar School of Policy and Government and serves as the incoming president of the ��AV student body.

New Mason student body president Sophia Nguyen: ‘I wanted to be more active rather than just be posting on social media.’ Photos by Ron Aira/Creative Services

In addition, this summer the daughter of Vietnamese immigrants scored an internship at no less than the White House, working to eliminate hate against Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

The incoming student body president is working at the White House this summer in an office dedicated to eliminating hate and discrimination against Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Nguyen’s reason for fighting AAPI hatred was fueled by the rising attacks against those vulnerable communities, which were maligned by the previous presidential administration during the outbreak of COVID-19. Further inspired by the Black Lives Matter protests in wake of the killing of George Floyd, she wanted to make a change and fight for AAPI communities.

Her passion fueled her ambition. “I wanted to be more active rather than just be posting on social media,” she said.

Nguyen, an Honors College student, brings this energy to Mason while participating in organizations such as the Asian Pacific American Coalition and serving as chair of the University Life Committee and the Diversity and Multicultural Affairs Committee. She frequently engages in anti-racism activities and actively raises awareness of issues within Asian American communities, such as mental health.

Her leadership as an undergraduate has not gone unnoticed by the student body. After being elected to the student senate in 2020, Nguyen got to work, organizing events as well as being a vital bridge between students and the university’s administration.

Her student government career progressed when she ran for president in the spring 2022. She aggressively campaigned with vice president running mate Celine Apenteng and together they secured the highest vote count of any ticket since 2014, voted in by more than 900 students.

After assuming office, Nguyen organized events such as a Mason Farmers Market, a colorful event which not only helped students cope with the stress of finals, but also promoted small businesses.

One of her proudest accomplishments was spearheading a well-received Anti-AAPI racism panel, which brought activist from the AAPI community to campus to speak on their activism and raise awareness about hate.

The culmination of her on-campus accomplishments and her passion for AAPI activism led to the White House initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders internship, which is devoted to advancing equity, justice, and opportunity to those communities. In her role, Nguyen helps organize events and works on issues related to the AAPI community with White House representatives.

After graduation from the Schar School, Nguyen intends to continue her fight for AAPI rights and hopes to go into humanitarian work, particularly for people who have been affected by poverty and violence.

“I just want to help people in need and make people’s lives a little bit better,” she said.