Three students from The Institute of World Politics – Wainwright Clarke, Kyle Kessler, and Francisco Pérez – have received prestigious Rumsfeld Fellowships for the 2021-22 academic year. Rumsfeld Fellows are selected based on recommendations by professors at institutions across the country who serve as advisors for the program. The Rumsfeld Fellowship offers recipients financial support for their graduate studies and participation in a network of current and former Rumsfeld Scholars.
Wainwright Clarke is pursuing an M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs with an emphasis in Defense Studies. Wainwright’s research focuses on Latin American affairs, the increasing U.S. presence in space, and the impact of the proliferation of private military contractors on international law. In addition, Wainwright is a contracted cadet in Georgetown University’s Army ROTC program. Upon completion of his M.A. and commissioning as a Second Lieutenant, he plans to pursue a career in Weapons Exploitation in the U.S. Army Reserve. In the civilian field, he is looking to work as a technical or open-source intelligence analyst.
Wainwright commented, “I was honored to be nominated for a Rumsfeld Fellowship and am humbled to have received one. The scholarship will help alleviate the financial pressure of my studies, but I am even more excited to connect with other Rumsfeld Fellows serving within the intelligence community.”
Kyle Kessler is seeking an M.A. in Strategic Intelligence Studies. A graduate of Cornell University where he majored in Information Systems, Kyle is interested in the nexus of technology and national security. He is serving as the President of the IWP Student Government Association for 2021-2022.
Kyle commented, “I am honored and humbled by the decision of the Rumsfeld Foundation to admit me as a graduate fellow. I look forward to learning everything they have to teach me, and using that knowledge, along with my IWP education, to serve the nation.”
Francisco Pérez is pursuing an M.A. in Statecraft and National Security Affairs. He plans to specialize in China and East Asia policy at IWP, and he intends to serve as an analyst with the Department of Defense upon his graduation.
Francisco said, “I am beyond honored to have been awarded the Rumsfeld Foundation Graduate Fellowship grant. The sheer breadth of knowledge and experience I will gain in the field of public service from the fellowship is invaluable, and I greatly look forward to it.”
Wainwright, Kyle, and Francisco join previous IWP students who have been Rumsfeld Fellows. These include Rebecca Buchheit in 2014, a student in the Master of Arts in Strategic Intelligence Studies program in 2014, Elizabeth Dillard and James Di Pane in 2016, Stephanie McGowen in 2017, Lyndsay Amyot and Jordan Cain in 2019, and Nathan Bader in 2020.
Even more IWP students have benefitted from direct interaction with former Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, who has guest lectured in IWP classes in the past (see here and here).
Congratulations Wainwright, Francisco, and Kyle on receiving the Rumsfeld Fellowship!