The Institute of World Politics and Elon University in Elon, North Carolina have recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance their shared goal of educating future leaders in preparation for careers in statecraft, national security, and global affairs.
The partnership between Elon and IWP
The agreement provides a $2,200 per semester scholarship for any Elon graduates admitted to an IWP M.A. program. This award is in addition to any merit-based scholarship students may earn based on their application. All benefits also apply to Elon alumni.
The MoU also notes that Elon students have an early assurance option to IWP’s M.A. programs, allowing them to apply to IWP after April 1st of their Junior (or third year) and to receive an admission decision from IWP (contingent on graduation from Elon).
Finally, IWP will reserve a spot in its undergraduate internship program each semester for a qualified Elon student who seeks to expand his or her experience in national security and international affairs studies. Internships include research with an IWP professor in topics like counterterrorism, diplomacy, intelligence, and human rights.
The Elon-IWP experience
IWP currently has three Elon alumni as graduate students, studying either international affairs or national security: Jack Doyle (Elon ’17), Andrew Brailey (Elon ’17), and Kelly Zug (Elon ’12).
Above: Kelly Zug, a graduate of Elon University, is currently studying at IWP.
Kelly, who is pursuing her M.A. in Strategic Intelligence Studies at IWP, earned a B.A. in 2012 from Elon in International Studies, with minors in Italian Studies, Mathematics, and Political Science. While at Elon, Kelly studied abroad in Florence, Italy and participated in the International Human Rights Law Summer Study in Vilnius, Lithuania (her mentor at the time was Elon Professor Betty Morgan). With the support of Elon’s National and International Fellowships Office, Kelly was awarded a Fulbright scholarship to teach English in Bulgaria. She then went on to teach English abroad and worked with various education programs in both Western and Eastern Europe. In 2014, Kelly worked in nonprofit development and fundraising consulting as a field officer for a U.S. foundation in seven countries throughout the Balkans and Eastern Europe.
Of her experiences at both schools, she commented: “My undergraduate studies at Elon provided me with a wealth of opportunities to discover my love and curiosity for other cultures, develop a foundational base of global knowledge, and witness the true value of engaged learning. Pursuing a Master’s at The Institute of World Politics has further cultivated this love of engaged learning and the importance of understanding global realities.”
“I feel confident my studies at both Elon and IWP have fully prepared me for a career serving my country, while integrating a respect for foreign cultures and my deep admiration for America’s values and its fundamental principles. My experience at both schools allows me to say with confidence that Elon alumni who seek a graduate degree in national security or international affairs will find immense value — and a brilliant community — at IWP.”
Above: The front entrance of IWP.
Jack Doyle is currently pursuing an M.A. in Statecraft and International Affairs at IWP. At Elon, Jack was both an Elon College Fellow and Elon Presidential Scholar. He majored in International & Global Studies and Religious Studies, with minors in German Studies (one of his mentors was Elon Prof. Scott Windham) and Middle East Studies. Jack also received a Fulbright offer from a graduate school in Germany.
“The rigorous classes, close mentorship, and vibrant community at Elon played a huge role in preparing me to contemplate the challenges of government during my degree at The Institute of World Politics,” said Jack. “I’m so excited that this partnership will allow Elon students to take full advantage of IWP’s unique programs that teach students not only how to navigate the complex world of international affairs and national security, but also how to leverage their individual skills for the betterment of their communities, the nation, and the world.”
A shared mission educating our future leaders
Danielle Shover, Director of Graduate Recruitment at IWP, worked with Elon to organize this agreement. She commented: “IWP recognizes that Elon graduates come to us from a rich intellectual community that emphasizes putting knowledge into practice. This partnership underscores the shared mission between Elon and The Institute of World Politics: Developing informed, globally aware leaders who will excel in the fields of diplomacy, national security, policy, and development.”