Jessica Waters, director of SPA’s Politics, Policy and Law Scholars Program, has been named by District of Columbia Court of Appeals and the Superior Court of the District of Columbia, to the 2012 Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll for her remarkable pro bono service to the DC community.

Waters has been an active pro bono attorney since graduation from law school. While in private practice, she performed hundreds of hours of pro bono work a year, much of it representing an Iraq war veteran in federal criminal litigation. Since 2007, she has also been involved with the Children's Law Center (CLC), first doing pro bono legal research, then joining the CLC Advisory Board, and now chairing that board. Through CLC, Waters was also appointed as a pro bono guardian ad litem to represent children in DC Superior Court, and last year represented a two-year-old boy in a family law matter.

With the support of the D.C. Access to Justice Commission and the D.C. Bar Pro Bono Program, the Court’s Capital Pro Bono Honor Roll recognizes the contributions of those D.C. Bar members, and others authorized to perform pro bono work in D.C., who complete 50 hours or more of pro bono service over the course of the last calendar year.

This fall, AU will host the most incoming Thomas R. Pickering Graduate Foreign Affairs Fellows of any university in the United States. Three Pickering Graduate Fellows will attend the School of International Service; one will attend the School of Public Affairs.

Fellows will all receive financial support from the U.S. Department of State toward a two-year, full-time master’s degree program in their respective fields: international affairs and public policy and commit to at least three years of service as Foreign Service officers.

In addition, José Ramirez-Rivera, SIS/BA ’14, has been awarded a Thomas R. Pickering Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship.

For Ramirez-Rivera, the "challenging but rewarding" application process was a natural step in his college career.

"My real interest came after my internship during the past fall at the Department of State’s Office of Caribbean Affairs, where I was exposed to the life of a Foreign Service Officer," Ramirez-Rivera said.

Pickering Undergraduate Fellows are awarded monies for tuition and other expenses during their senior year of college and first year of graduate study (up to $40,000 per year) and the opportunity for one domestic and one international internship with the U.S. Department of State.

Upon completion of their master’s degree, they commit to three years of service as a Foreign Service Officer.

Ramirez-Rivera has garnered a number of national awards. Aside from the Pickering Undergraduate Fellowship, he earned a Killam Fellowship to study abroad in Canada and the Public Policy and International Affairs (PPIA) Fellowship. Ramirez-Rivera is spending the summer at the Junior Summer Institute at Carnegie Mellon University through PPIA.

Like Ramirez-Rivera, incoming Pickering Fellow and U.S. Foreign Policy student Jack Bisase, SIS/MA ’15, always knew that his future would include the Foreign Service.

"Working in diplomacy is a family calling," Bisase said. "My grandfather was a foreign minister in Uganda for a time. It is work I have long been drawn to."

While Pickering Graduate Fellows have a variety of high-ranking schools of international affairs open to them, Bisase felt strongly that he belonged at AU.

"SIS, more than any other school I was considering, had the atmosphere of inclusiveness that is so critical in our current age," he said. "As a minority student, I felt the school went above and beyond to make me feel wanted. This, coupled with devotion to high-quality academic programs and commitment to practicing what they preach in terms of environmental sustainability and diversity, made it the obvious choice for me."

Bisase’s positive experience applying to SIS is what Rebecca Davis, associate director of Graduate Enrollment Management, aims for.

2013 Pickering Graduate Fellow finalists were offered a merit award in recognition of their accomplishments. But there’s more to enticing prospective SIS students than just the promise of financial assistance.

"Student involvement and more intimate opportunities like our dinner are key components of outreach that we believe are most effective when we’re building relationships," Davis said. "For our students, sharing their experiences and accomplishments with newly admitted students is a chance to pay it forward."

For both Bisase and Ramirez-Rivera, paying it forward is exactly what they intend to do, both at SIS and out in the world.

"I am passionate about human trafficking as an issue," Bisase said. "Not enough people are aware of the thousands who live lives in bondage; many are in our own country. I want to be a part of the solution to that."

Shortly before Christmas in 1962, a letter arrived at the White House from Moscow. "Dear Mr. President," it began.

"It seems to me…that time has come now to put an end once and for all to nuclear tests, to draw a line through such tests."

The letter was signed, "Sincerely, N. Khrushchev." In this crucial piece of Cold War correspondence, the Soviet Premier indicated that his nation was willing to move toward a more stable relationship with the West.

Seven months later, President John F. Kennedy delivered the speech, "A Strategy of Peace," at American University. He called for a nuclear test ban treaty, which would suspend all atmospheric testing of nuclear weapons.

WATCH: Videos of the 50th Anniversary of JFK's Speech at AU

Kennedy spoke loftily of peace, both securing and building it — "not merely peace in our time but peace for all time," he said. It was a clarion call to all nations to abandon nuclear strategies in favor of peace.

The speech, delivered at AU’s 49th Commencement on June 10, 1963, and written by Kennedy’s primary speechwriter, Ted Sorensen, is known as one of Kennedy’s finest orations. 

Fifty years later, the speech still resonates both for its unabashed desire for peace and its unequivocal condemnation of war.

The legacy of the speech is evident today in the country’s current nuclear policies and efforts to reduce the world’s nuclear stockpile.

A 'Bold' and 'Unusual' Speech

For 13 tense days in October 1962, the United States found itself at the brink of nuclear war. The Cuban Missile Crisis brought into sharp focus just how serious the threat was.

"The two leaders — Kennedy and Khrushchev — looked into the abyss and managed to avoid nuclear war," said School of International Service Dean James Goldgeier. "It was a pretty scary time."

After the Cuban Missile Crisis, Kennedy resolved to prevent something like that from happening again. A nuclear test ban treaty seemed a good place to start.

Kennedy revealed his agenda for the speech to few members of his administration for fear of a backlash. Striking a conciliatory tone with the Soviets would have been viewed as weak in many Washington quarters.

Once Kennedy had the idea for the speech, he needed a venue. He was not originally scheduled to be AU’s commencement speaker that year, recalled Anthony Morella, former dean of the Washington College of Law, who served as WCL Marshall in 1963. 

MORE: Recommended Books, Films On The JFK Era

Pauline Frederick, a groundbreaking journalist and AU alumna, was scheduled to speak, but graciously stepped aside, Morella said, when it was learned that Kennedy was interested in AU as a location.

After arriving on campus by helicopter from the White House, Kennedy spoke passionately for nearly 27 minutes about peace and the ways to achieve it. It was an "unusual" speech, said School of Communication Adjunct Professor Robert Lehrman.

"Usually in a speech, the writing isn’t that great. It’s just a series of great moments or memorable lines," Lehrman said, a former speechwriter.

Kennedy’s American University speech was more than just a series of memorable lines. The writing was crisp, it expressed a view that was insightful, and it was hugely influential, all qualities of an exceptional speech, Lehrman said.

The speech, which Kennedy and Sorenson finished reviewing and editing on a plane ride back from Hawaii that day, made use of a number of literary devices. It employed alliteration, antithesis, and repetition, none of which were common at the time in political speeches, Lehrman said.

While the literary devices used in the speech were unique, the message was what made it shine. Rather than demonizing the Soviets, he reminded Americans of what they endured during World War II. He encouraged the American public to feel some sense of empathy toward their enemy. And he implored the nation to move forward.

It was no wonder he kept the contents of the speech from all but his closest advisors.

"It was a bold move by Kennedy to give that speech," said School of Public Affairs Distinguished Professor James Thurber. "The hawks did not like the speech, but it showed great leadership to make the world a safer place."

School of Communications Professor Dotty Lynch remembers watching the speech as a young teenager.

"It put AU on the map," she said. "It made the school stand out as a place of leadership."

Kennedy’s Influence Today

The legacy of Kennedy’s speech at AU cannot be underestimated. The détente policy, developed during the Cold War to help ease tensions in U.S.-Soviet relations, was a direct outgrowth of the speech, Goldgeier said. That policy lasted until the Soviet involvement in Afghanistan in 1979.  

"There was generally a notion that even though the Soviets were our adversaries, we would reach out to them," Goldgeier said.

FACTS: Did You KNOW? JFK At AU By The Numbers

Over the years, the United States has continued to push for a worldwide reduction in nuclear arms. President Bill Clinton tried, albeit unsuccessfully to put a comprehensive nuclear test ban treaty in place. It was adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 1996, but has yet to be fully ratified. The United States remains one of the few holdouts.

Still, President Barack Obama is taking nuclear arms reduction seriously. In 2010, he and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev signed the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty. In his latest State of the Union address, Obama spoke of nuclear disarmament.

"We will engage Russia to seek further reductions in our nuclear arsenals, and continue leading the global effort to secure nuclear materials that could fall into the wrong hands — because our ability to influence others depends on our willingness to lead," Obama said.

On May 23, Obama called on the nation to reexamine the fight against terrorism, outlining plans for tighter rules for drone strikes and renewed plans to close Guantanamo Bay prison in Cuba. 

"This war, like all wars, must end," Obama said. "That's what history advises. That's what our democracy demands."

MORE: How JFK's 1963 Speech Compares with Obama's Counter Terrorism Speech

A direct thread runs from Kennedy’s speech through Obama’s agenda for nuclear arms. While the U.S. still has enough nuclear weapons to cause major damage, the reductions in recent years have been steep. That takes real leadership, said Thurber, and it started with Kennedy.

"Despite what had transpired prior to the speech, Kennedy was still willing to reach out and work with the Soviets to reduce nuclear testing and weapon development and that’s important historically and it’s impressive," Thurber said. "This is all a part of the Kennedy legacy to reduce the number of weapons and increase peace in the world."

Originally published on March 5, 2013

Why do new constitutions further improve democracy in some nations but not in others? What is the nature of interest group involvement in the drafting, approval, and implementation of new constitutions? How do such constitutions impact the politics of “day to day” in democratizing nations?

These are the kinds of questions to be addressed "The Gap from Parchment to Practice: Ambivalent Effects of Constitutions in Democratizing Countries,” a conference sponsored by the Latin American Studies Association, the Mellon Foundation, the School of Public Affairs' Department of Government, and the School of International Service Comparative and Regional Studies program, on May 28 and 29th. Discussions will cover issues in new democracies including Colombia, Venezuala, Bolivia, Egypt, and other countries.

The conference, which is organized by AU faculty members Todd Eisenstadt (SPA), Carl LeVan (SIS), and Rob Albro (SIS), is open to the public.

Conference Schedule

Tuesday, May 29

School of International Service, Founder’s Room

Opening

9:15 - 9:30  Welcome from James Goldgeier, School of International Service and Barbara Romzek, School of Public Affairs

Theoretical and Empirical Questions I

9:30  “New Constitutions and Democracy: an Overview” -- Robert Albro, Todd Eisenstadt, Carl LeVan, American University

DISCUSSANTS: Joel Barkan, Center for Strategic and International Studies and Michael Coppedge, University of Notre Dame

Theoretical and Empirical Questions II
Moderated by Todd Eisenstadt, American University

10:30  “Can We Trust Legislators to Write Constitutions?” -- Zachary Elkins, University of Texas – Austin 

DISCUSSANT: Ernesto Calvo, University of Maryland

Theoretical and Empirical Questions III
Moderated by Carl LeVan, American University 

11:30  “Bringing Insights from Corporate Governance to the Study of Constitution Making” -- Jennifer Widner, Princeton University

DISCUSSANT: Jon Gould, American University

Cases and Regions I: Northern Andes
Moderated by Agustina Giraudy, American University

1:45  “Deepening Democracy via Constitutional Change? Contrasting Colombia and Venezuela” -- Ana Maria Bejarano, University of Toronto and Renata Segura, Social Science Research Council

DISCUSSANT: Matthew Taylor, American University 

2:45  “Venezuela: Between ta Bolivarian Constitution and the Authoritarian Populism of Hugo Chávez” -- Nelly Arenas, Central University of Venezuela

DISCUSSANT: Miriam Kornblith, National Endowment for Democracy

Cases and Regions II: African Cases
Moderated by Ryan Briggs, American University 

4:00  “Constitutional Legitimacy and the Dimensions of Participatory Constitution-Making” -- Devra Moehler and Eleanor Marchant, University of Pennsylvania

DISCUSSANT: Gina Lambright, George Washington University 

5:00  “Constitution-making and Democracy in Mali: The Unraveling of a Democratic Model” -- Susanna Wing, Haverford College

DISCUSSANT: Adrienne LeBas, American University 

Wednesday, May 29

School of International Service, Founder’s Room

Cases and Regions III: Bolivia’s Bold Experiment
Moderated by Jo-Marie Burt of George Mason University (invited)

9:15  “Constituent Power from Below in Bolivia? Implications of Rights-based Conflict in the New Constitutional Era” -- Robert Albro, American University

DISCUSSANT: Miguel Centellas, University of Mississippi

10:15  “Refounding ‘halfway’ in Bolivia: the Consolidation of a Hybrid Democracy after the Promulgation of the 2009 Plurinational Constitution” -- Diego Ayo, Universidad Católica de Bolivia

DISCUSSANT: Katie Kuhn, George Washington University 

Cases and Regions IV: Egypt and Middle East
Moderated by Diane Singerman, American University

11:15  “Bringing the Constitution Online: The Struggle over Egypt’s New Constitution” -- Ghazal Poshtkouhian Nadi and Tofigh Maboudi, American University

DISCUSSANT: Nathan Brown, George Washington University 

1:30  “Constitutionalizing Islam: Variations in Religion-State Relationships among Muslim Countries” -- Shaheen Mozaffar, Bridgewater State University

DISCUSSANT: Kristin Diwan, American University 

Conclusions
Moderated by Eric Hershberg, American University 

2:30-4:00  Roundtable: “Understanding the Ambiguous Impacts of New Constitutions on Democracy” -- Robert Albro, Todd Eisenstadt, Zackary Elkins, Carl LeVan, Jennifer Widner

Executive Women in Government (EWG) and American University’s Key Executive Leadership Programs have formed an exclusive higher education partnership. Key will assist EWG in developing leadership development training workshops taught by its faculty and will help plan programs and meetings for the group’s members.

Recently as part of this collaboration, Key worked with EWG’s board to develop the certificate program for the EWG Annual Summit, held earlier this month.

EWG focuses on preparing, promoting, supporting, and mentoring women for senior leadership positions in the federal government. Key’s mission is to create a participative and rigorous learning environment where students choose to transform themselves from good managers to extraordinary leaders.

"Executive Women in Government is delighted to be working with Key to provide executive leadership training and related programming for our members," said EWG President Reta Jo Lewis.

"With women making up only a third of the Senior Executive Service, the time is appropriate to form an exclusive higher education partnership with EWG, a respected and relevant organization," stated Robert Tobias, director of Key. "EWG’s advocacy of and commitment to women in leadership positions aligns closely with our commitment to leadership development. As a result, it is befitting that Key is partnering with EWG to achieve the common goal of preparing great leaders for public service. Women play an indispensable role in the public service workforce, and Key is eager to share our leadership resources and expertise to develop a new community of women executives serving as public sector leaders.”

About EWG

Founded in 1974, Executive Women in Government (EWG) is an organization of women executives who serve in the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of the federal government. The mission of EWG is to prepare, promote, support, and mentor women for senior leadership positions in the federal government; build a powerful network to share experiences, enhance professional relationships, and increase understanding among women executives in the federal government; and to motivate women leaders in the federal government to contribute to effective succession planning by creating a mentoring culture within their sphere of influence. To further these goals, EWG holds meetings with opinion leaders in politics, public policy and the arts in order to educate, inspire and motivate women leaders. The organization also holds an annual conference featuring speakers and topics of benefit to senior-level professionals and uses a website to keep its members informed. In addition, it maintains affiliations with a number of other organizations with similar goals in order to better serve its members and advance common goals.

About Key

The Key Executive Leadership Programs has transformed good managers into extraordinary leaders for more than 35 years. Aligned with the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) Executive Core Qualifications (ECQs), the Key Executive Leadership MPA and Certificate prepare mid-career professionals at the level of GS-13 and above (or NGO equivalent) to become effective, top-quality team and executive leaders. Key programs are housed in American University’s School of Public Affairs. Ranked among the top schools of its kind, the School of Public Affairs (SPA) offers education in the fields of political science, public administration, public policy, organization development, and justice.

Distinguished Professor David H. Rosenbloom recently testified in front of the Committee with Task Force on Government Performance. The hearing examined effective strategies for government reorganization, focusing on reducing fragmentation, overlap, and duplication and achieving cost savings. In addition to Rosenbloom others testifying included Gene L. Dodaro, Comptroller General of the United States, Government Accountability Office; John P. Holdren, Director, Office of Science and Technology Policy, Executive Office of the President; Delaware State Senator Nicole Poore.

At its invitation, I testified before the Task Force on Government Performance of the U.S. Senate Committee on the Budget on May 16 (program attached). The title of the hearing was “Silo Busting: Effective Strategies for Government Reorganization.” During the Q&A my point that the Inspectors General and the Government Accountability Office are largely retrospective, offering correctives for waste, fraud, and abuse, gained acceptance. In the testimony and Q&A I offered the idea that each major agency should have a Chief Productivity Officer who would be forward looking with respect to continuous innovation, organizational process reengineering, the application of new knowledge to managerial technique and technology as warranted, and the integration intra-agency programs, including those promoting democratic-constitutionalism such as freedom of information. I distinguished the Chief Productivity Officer from Chief Operating Officers and Performance Improvement Offices under the Government Performance and Results Modernization Act (2010) on the basis that the COO and PIO are likely to be focused on implementing agency strategic plans and developing performance reports, as required by the statute. I believe the testimony and Q&A went quite well.

The Senate Committee Task Force’s invitation was based on the impact that one of my books, Building a Legislative Centered Public Administration: Congress and the Administrative State, 1946-1999 (University of Alabama Press, 2000), had on a member of the Budget Committee staff. The research for the book was first presented as “1946: Framing a Lasting Congressional Response to the Administrative State," in the John Joseph Boyne Distinguished Lecture Series, University of Alabama (Maxwell Air Force Base), Montgomery, AL, September 14-17, 1998. In addition to being the source of my testimony, as requested by the Committee on the Budget Task Force, it has been cited in several Congressional Research Service reports, which has led to a few media interviews, including one with USA Today.

To me it is interesting is that this basic piece of qualitative historical scholarship on Congress’ 1946 framework for treating federal agencies as its adjuncts for legislative functions such as rulemaking, regulating their use of delegated legislative authority, and supervising them, as embodied in the Administrative Procedure Act, the Legislative Reorganization Act, and the Employment Act, among other measures, is having an impact on Congressional Research Service reports and U.S. senators. The research involved turning more than 16,000 pages of the Congressional Record for 1946 and part of 1945. The book was neither written on a contemporary policy topic nor externally or internally funded or supported by a course buy-out or release. It received the 2001 National Academy of Public Administration Brownlow Book Award, arguably the most prestigious such award in the field of public administration (nominated by now AU President Kerwin), deals with a large, fundamental question—“what is Congress’ role in the federal administrative state”—and is written in language that English-speaking policymakers and researchers with knowledge of American national government can readily understand.

Among the senators present for all or part of the hearing were Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Chris Coons (D-DE), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Patty Murray (D-WA), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Mark Warner (D-VA), and Roger Wicker (R-MS).

Kristina Bell was one of three graduate students to receive the 2013 William K. Reilly Scholarship from AU’s Center for Environmental Policy. The new scholarship, named for the pioneering environmentalist and former administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, will help Bell pursue her interests in the environmental and social dimensions of sustainable development.

This honor sparkles atop Bell’s record of scholarship and a variety of learning experiences and challenges.

Bell, SPA/MPA’14, doesn’t see the world through a single window. Nor does she approach her own calling—helping create sustainable opportunities in the developing world—from a narrow path.

On her journey to a master’s in public administration, Bell has worked for an international nonprofit organization, the Egyptian arm of a private multinational company, and a local DC government agency – experiences she all sees as complementing her formal education.

“I’m interested in global policy and international development – for example how global governance structures can help promote international development through economic and social standards,” said Bell. “But there are many different routes to that. If I’ve learned one thing, it’s not to narrow my options or my outlook.”

Since arriving at AU, Bell has taken on three internships that have helped enrich her classroom learning with real-world experience. In 2011, Bell joined PriceWaterhouseCoopers Egypt, working as a corporate engagement manager on an initiative to encourage blood donations through corporate partnerships.

“It was challenging, being an American intern cold calling companies like Coca-Cola Egypt,” said Bell. “I had to work through language and cultural barriers, but it was a tremendous learning experience.”

Bell also interned for the Global Business School Network, a nonprofit that aims to level the playing field for higher education. Bell helped develop and implement a survey of about 300 schools worldwide to gauge the demand for an online PhD program.

To round out her experience, Bell took on an internship this spring at the DC Department of Housing and Community Development.

“I wanted to understand how the public sector operates. It was a totally different experience, working with a government bureaucracy,” said Bell.

Bell, who played Division I basketball as a business major at Fordham, also managed to find time to play on an intramural league to blow off steam in between classes.

“Basketball has taught me a lot of valuable skills. You have to know how to manage your time and energy, maintain your work-life balance, and plan ahead,” said Bell.

“Teamwork is also important, especially learning how to bring out your teammates’ strengths and help them realize their value. Everyone has a piece of the puzzle.”

This summer, she will pack her bags for Malaysia and Indonesia, as part of an SIS class, Globalization, Governance and Human Security in Southeast Asia. She and her classmates will spend three weeks in Kuala Lumpur and Jakarta, taking classes and conducting cultural and professional site visits.

These experiences have all enhanced the multi-faceted education Bell has received at AU.

“The diversity of professors and their eclectic professional backgrounds has been extremely valuable,” said Bell. “So has being in the classroom with students with experience and knowledge about different issues. I learn just as much from my classmates as from my professors.”

Congratulations to the Class of 2013, their families, and friends! We’ve created a list of all the details you need to know for this weekend’s commencement ceremonies.

When: On Saturday, May 11, ceremonies include School of Public Affairs at 9 a.m., School of Communication at 1 p.m., and College of Arts & Sciences at 4:30 p.m. On Sunday, May 12, ceremonies include Kogod School of Business at 9 a.m. and School of International Service at 1 p.m. On Sunday, May 19, the Washington College of Law will hold a ceremony at 1 p.m.

Where: American University’s commencement ceremonies are held in Bender Arena on campus.

Watching from home: All AU commencement ceremonies will be broadcast live on american.edu/commencement.

Guests: Tickets are not required for admittance. In keeping with D.C. Fire Code regulations, AU asks that graduating students limit their guests to seven persons each.

Seating: Doors open 45 minutes before each ceremony. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. A seating section, located next to the ground-level entrance to Bender Arena, will be available for senior citizens and persons with physical disabilities and their families. Please refer to the special needs section of the commencement website for more information on seating and other assistance for mobility and hearing impaired persons.

2013 Commencement Speakers: Lisa P. Jackson (SPA), Darryl Frank (SOC), Paul Farmer (CAS), Gary Veloric (Kogod), Moises Naim (SIS), and Harold Hongju Koh (WCL). Read more about the 2013 commencement speakers.

Social Media: Join us on Twitter using hashtag #2013augrad. Also, follow AU Commencement 2013 on Facebook for all the latest news.

Where to park: We recommend that graduates and guests park in the Nebraska Avenue parking lot or the Katzen Arts Center garage, although all parking areas on campus will be open during commencement weekend (except for spaces marked “Reserved”). Those who park in the Sports Center parking garage are advised that exiting traffic will not be permitted to turn into the tunnel in front of Bender Arena following the ceremonies. Cars parked in the Sports Center parking garage or on the south side of campus will exit via Nebraska Avenue.

How to get there: The campus map indicates shuttle stops, disability parking, and drop-off points for commencement. Driving directions to AU's Bender Arena can be found online through googlemaps.com. The university will provide complimentary shuttle bus service to and from the Tenleytown-AU Metro station, which is on Metro’s Red Line. Shuttle buses will run every 15 minutes from the Nebraska Avenue and south-side shuttle stops. For information on getting to campus from BWI Airport, Dulles International Airport, Reagan National Airport, and more, follow instructions provided by the Office of Campus Life.

What’s not allowed inside: No large bags (backpacks, briefcases, duffel bags, etc.) will be permitted inside Bender Arena. Large signs, banners, noise makers, and other objects that hinder visibility or sound will not be allowed inside.

What should grads wear: In order to walk in a commencement ceremony you must wear a cap and gown designed especially for American University by Herff Jones. Caps and gowns must be picked up in the Campus Store on the second floor of Butler Pavilion during business hours from May 8 through May 11 and during the commencement ceremonies on May 11 and May 12.

Duration of ceremony: The ceremony is approximately two hours long and is immediately followed by a reception. Reception locations are listed in the printed program. If you are going to a restaurant after commencement, we recommend making reservations for approximately four hours after your ceremony's start. This will allow you time to attend your school's reception and return rental regalia (due by 6 p.m., Sunday, May 12). 

Diplomas: Most graduates will receive diplomas by early July. 

Photos: A selection of commencement photographs will appear on the AU website. Check the commencement website to view and download photos taken by the university photographers. Proofs of photos taken by the commercial photographer, GradImages, will be emailed to grads two weeks after the ceremony. Read more about purchasing photos and other mementos.

In a community of wonks, it can be hard to stand out, but 14 students have done just that.

In a tradition dating back to 1929 and the first University Honors Convocation, AU recognizes outstanding students at the graduate and undergraduate level each year. Like the recipient of this year’s president’s award, these wonks have distinguished themselves with achievements in the classroom as well as in the community.

Academic Honors

Lauren Barr and Andrey Verendeev have received nods for Outstanding Scholarship at the Graduate Level this year. Verendeev’s psychopharmacology research is the first of its kind to find predictors for opiate use in test subjects, while Barr has compiled a compelling conflict analysis of the situation in post-Arab Spring Morocco.

“I really appreciate all the opportunities and doors that AU has opened for me,” she says. “This is yet another example of the ways in which I’ve really benefited from being a part of the school.”

This year’s undergraduate winners are just as impressive. With an extraordinary 3.96 GPA studying outside his native language of German, honors student Robert Helbig majored in international affairs and minored in applied physics. Psychology student Andrew Merluzzi has received over $10,000 in funds to present his research at eight separate conferences across the country. As he leaves AU, he believes the best part of his studies was working alongside minds like Verendeev.

“The ability to do research alongside graduate students and faculty, just in terms of working together as a team towards a common goal, was really helpful and will be great experience for the future,” he says.

Outstanding Service

AU also recognizes those students who serve on campus, trying to make the university the best institution it can be. The efforts of this year’s Outstanding Service to the University Community Award recipients are both duly noted and duly awarded.

For his service, recent December School of Communication graduate Joseph Corcoran will be honored alongside former Student Government president Sarah McBride. Corcoran, who transferred to AU his sophomore year, advocated for more commuter and transfer student space now found in the library and the East Quad Building – success that has also landed him the Charles W. Van Way Award for building community at AU.

McBride’s policies as SG president established open-gender housing on campus as well as a new LGBT studies minor. As much as she gave to the campus, she believes she received more in return.

“AU has been so wonderful to me. I’ve gained so much. I’ve learned so much," she says. "I’ve been embraced by friends, administrators, and faculty to such a degree that it was really an honor to be able to serve this community."

McBride will also accept the Kinsman-Hurst Award for striving to make the university community as diverse, accepting, and inclusive as possible.

Student Achievement

Through its annual Student Achievement Awards, the university celebrates those undergraduate seniors that best represent the diversity of accomplishments possible at AU.

Described as one of the most talented soloists ever to graduate from AU, vocalist Carley DeFranco will receive the Evelyn Swarthout Hayes Award for using her gifts to support at-risk youth in DC. While AU has a strong reputation for international and public affairs, DeFranco’s recognition shows the university’s maintained emphasis on the arts.

“I feel honored and happy that my practicing and musical achievements have been noticed in a school where music may not necessarily be at the forefront but certainly thriving,” she says. “There are a lot of great musicians and programs here.”

ATV student television general manager Douglas Bell will receive the Bruce Hughes Award for doubling his organization’s membership, where reporters recently secured White House press passes. After establishing the Community Service Coalition, Stephen Bronskill – also selected for the coveted President’s Award – will accept the Stafford H. Cassell Award.

Recent December graduate Nazran Baba used his time at AU to create opportunities for cross-cultural dialogue and understanding through roles in International Student Orientation and the Muslim Student Association, making him the first Sri Lankan in 30 years to win the Carlton Savage Award.

Abdul Aziz Said Phi Epsilon Pi Scholar for Diversity Daniel Leon was selected for the Fletcher Scholar Award based on his academic achievement and commitment to the community through organizations like the William J. Clinton Foundation.

“I feel really honored. I’ve only been here for two years,” he says, “and the fact I would be recognized on any level really shows how focused they are on transfer students.”

School of Public Affairs Leadership Program student and outgoing Student Government president Emily Yu will receive the Cathryn Seckler-Hudson Award, named for SPA’s first dean. Yu advocated for what became AU’s lowest tuition increase in 40 years alongside a new $1.5 million in financial aid for students.

Parting Words

Kogod School of Business student Mercedes Beras-Goico dedicated herself to serving the university community through the 1955 Business Leadership Club before starting the Hispanic Business Association. She will accept the Charles C. Glover Award for combining business leadership and citizenship in service to AU.

Like the other student award recipients, Beras-Goico is more than honored for the recognition, but – above all else – she just wants to carry AU with her wherever she goes.

“I really would like to keep representing the AU legacy as I graduate,” she says. “I couldn’t have imagined in my wildest dreams that I would be here.”

Winning this year’s Harold Johnson Award for celebrating Caribbean culture on and off campus, Yanique Campbell has advice for hopeful underclass wonks looking ahead, hoping to stand out as she and her fellow recipients have.

“For me, it wasn’t about getting an award,” she says. “It was about finding a place where I’m comfortable on this campus and making that place available for other students…So, just do what you love, and the awards will come.”





Click here to learn more about the University Awards program and the awards ceremony, which will take place Friday, May 10th at 5:30pm in the Abramson Family Recital Hall in the Katzen Arts Center.

Visit the 2013 commencement ceremonies website for more information about this year's celebration.

Last year, American University rose from No. 7 to No. 5 nationally for its number of Presidential Management Fellowship (PMF) finalists. This year, AU has one-upped itself, rising to No. 3 in the national rankings for both finalists—of which AU had 19—and semi-finalists—of which AU had 45. This year’s finalists, announced in early April, hail from all of AU’s schools and colleges. 

“We have some outstanding candidates,” says PMF and School of Public Affairs career advisor Robert SanGeorge. SanGeorge helped prepare all of AU’s semi-finalists and finalists for the application process. “This year, they came from all AU schools … and we’re glad they did, because we would like to see that kind of diversity and interest campus-wide in the program.”

For more than 30 years, the PMF program has attracted advanced degree-holders for positions within the federal government, including the Department of Homeland Security, FEMA, USAID, and the Department of Transportation, among others. The application is a two-step process, beginning with an online test that gauges an applicant’s psychological profile; 12,120 people took the test nationwide this year, according to PMF’s website. Of that pool, the program selects roughly 1,600 semi-finalists who then participate in an intensive series of interviews and group activities. Selected finalists are then able to apply for jobs specifically set aside for them, with two-year appointments, competitive salaries, and benefits; PMF finalists—there were 663 this year—also receive “additional mentoring and training that is not available to other people,” notes SanGeorge. He trained ’AU’s semi-finalists with several workshops, one-on-one meetings, and various online resources.

“You are being groomed to be a future federal manager at a significant level,” adds SanGeorge. “Once you’re finished with those two years and you transition into regular federal employment, you have PMF on your resume, and that really is a big deal for people who want to pursue the federal government as a career.”

Of the 19 AU finalists, seven are from the School of International Service, five are from the Washington College of Law, three are from the School of Public Affairs, two are from the College of Arts and Sciences, one is from the School of Communication, and one is from the Kogod School of Business. But coaching for these students and alumni doesn’t stop after they have been named finalists: The Career Center will continue to provide guidance on crafting a federal resume, reaching out to certain federal departments, preparing for job interviews, and connecting with AU alumni of the program, SanGeorge says. 

Finalist Keri Sikich, SPA/PhD '13 and SIS/BA '02, is already emailing other AU alumni to discuss how she should present herself to various federal departments during the application process. Sikich, who studies juries and comparative legal systems, has taught many classes as an adjunct at AU. She hopes to parlay her background in public policy and experience working on Capitol Hill into opportunities with the Departments of State or Justice.

“It’s a great opportunity, especially now that I’ve seen other friends of mine try to get jobs after their PhD—I see how hard it is to get into the federal system,” Sikich says. “So it’s not an opportunity that I plan on passing up. The government is certainly a great place for me to be.”

Equally excited is Josh Jones, SIS/PhD '13, who, before attending AU, served a tour in Iraq during his four years in the U.S. Army and spent a summer with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Serbia. His experience in the Army was not only the inspiration for his dissertation, but the leadership and time management skills he learned while in the service became invaluable during the PMF application process, he says. 

“I think the benefit of the military is that it gives people the opportunity to lead, to take responsibility for people and goals in ways that may be harder to come by in other forums,” says Jones, who is keeping an open mind regarding which federal positions may interest him. “To paraphrase Teddy Roosevelt, I want to ‘work hard at work worth doing.’ I would like to find a position in which I can support a department or agency in accomplishing its mission and to add value to the organization.”

Similarly liberal about his ideal federal department is Brian Thompson, CAS/MEd '11, who became a teacher after being deployed to Afghanistan while serving three-and-a-half years in the U.S. Army; a care package from his mother with the book Teacher Man by Frank McCourt inspired him to join Teach For America (TFA) when he returned to the U.S. Thompson received his master’s through TFA’s partnership with AU; has taught 10th-grade world history at Cardozo High School in Washington, D.C., for the past four years; and has been awarded with numerous teaching awards from the District of Columbia Public Schools for his success with students. Thompson hopes to land a position with the Department of Education or Veterans Affairs, but he doesn’t plan to limit himself.

“I think I’ve always been committed to public service; in the military and in teaching, I’ve kind of been the boots on the ground, whether in the classroom or the battlefield,” Thompson says. “I’m just looking for something that blends my passion, and an opportunity to do something meaningful. I’m not looking to push paper all day long—I’m looking for an agency that will provide me with opportunities to grow and do great things.”

Congratulations to all of AU’s 2013 PMF finalists: Ann Mangold, Anna Naimark, Brian Thompson, Colin Bishop, Elena Green Feroz, Erin Swetland, Jason Whittle, Jennifer Flowers, Jessica Torres, Josh Jones, Kathleen Larkin, Keri Sikich, Lauren McCarty, Nicholas Beadle, Nicholas Fechter, Robert Brodell, Samuel Hedlund, Sheen Munshi, and William Daming. 

The application process for the 2014 PMF program will begin this fall, and will be open to students and alumni who hold advanced degrees earned between December 2011 and August 2014.

Alumna and trustee, Margery Kraus, SPA/BA ’67, SPA/MA ’71, was recently honored with the “Corporate Statesmanship Award” from the U.S. Association of Former Members of Congress (FMC) in recognition of her leadership in the philanthropic community. Kraus, founder and CEO of APCO Worldwide, was recognized at FMC’s 16th Annual Statesmanship Award Dinner.

Kraus says that fellow AU alumna and former Congresswoman Connie Morella, CAS/MA ’67, gave her the news that she would receive the award, “and that was as exciting to me as getting the award.” She says the event was a great reunion for her with many members of Congress whom she had known since they were freshmen on the Hill. “This was especially meaningful because it wasn’t just a group giving me an award. These were people I knew,” she says. “Having people rooting for you and on your side is a very special feeling.”

APCO Worldwide is an independent, global communication, stakeholder engagement, and business strategy firm with more than 600 experts in 30 offices around the globe. Calling her one of AU’s most successful alumni, Distinguished Professor Jim Thurber, director of the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, says, “She is a wonderful example to all of our students, but especially women.” 

Kraus, who is keenly focused on empowering young women as she runs one of the largest independently-owned communication consultancies, says that her family is her support system. As a wife, mother, and grandmother, she says that her personal brand of work-life balance would not work for everyone. “I try to be there for the most important things and make up for with experience what I lack in time,” she says. To that end, she has built a family tradition of taking each grandchild on an international trip with her when they turn 10 years old. 

Not surprisingly, Kraus says no day is ever the same for her. “I am up at 5:30. I check everything at home,” she says. “Since we’re a global company, I spend the morning catching up on what’s happening in Asia and Europe, then have meetings all day, and usually attend evening receptions.”  

Despite her intensely busy schedule, which sometimes includes weeks on end away from home, Kraus finds time to give back to AU. “Margery Kraus has been a strong and long-term supporter of American University, the School of Public Affairs, and especially the Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies through her generous contribution to our benefactor’s awards, her guidance, and by sharing her wisdom and knowledge with our students and faculty,” says Professor Thurber. He adds that she speaks to students, opens her offices to them as interns and employees, and “has changed the lives of many students in countless ways.”

Duilio Correa, SPA/MPA '13, came to American University by chance, but stayed by design – for two degrees and counting.

The Peruvian-born student first came to AU in 2005 for a certificate in Spanish translation, but his advisor, the late Jack Child, encouraged him to stay on and pursue a master's degree in Spanish and Latin American studies.

“At first I was doubtful. I was already working as an information specialist for a government clearinghouse, and legally blind from birth – I didn't really know if I could pull it off,” said Correa.

After finishing his MA in 2008, Correa landed a job developing Spanish-language materials at the National Institutes of Health. Yet, he felt he needed a better foundation in management, and found himself again perusing AU's course offerings. SPA’s MPA program seemed like a good fit, but Correa had to think twice about saddling himself with a full load of night classes given his demanding job.

He took the bet, and it's paid off. Graduation is in sight, and Correa has landed a plum position as a management and program analyst at Health and Human Services, a job he says he wouldn't have gotten without his AU education. In his new position, Correa will be working with the human resources team at HHS to recruit people with disabilities and develop programs catering to disabled employees.

“Struggle is necessary for success,” says Correa, who came to the U.S. as a teen with his mother – his driving force and inspiration. “If the opportunity you're looking for doesn't arise, sometimes you have to create it.”

While Correa doesn't feel his disability – a congenital eye condition that limits his central vision – has impeded him personally or professionally, it has required him to be resourceful. The student relies on dictation programs to type documents, an iPad to zoom in on text and software to read passages aloud to him.

The classroom has been fertile ground to learn and grow, according to Correa. “The AU community is very supportive. Professors encourage independent thought, and give you a lot of room to explore academically and express yourself freely.” He feels more poised in the workplace and better equipped to handle difficult situations as a result of his coursework in management.

Ever ambitious, Correa is already thinking about returning for his PhD someday, and eventually becoming a professional coach for disabled individuals. It's hard to imagine a better career for someone so passionate about helping others thrive in the face of adversity.

“You can't focus on your physical challenges or concentrate on your flaws; you have to look at what you do well and how you can improve,” says Correa. “If you fail, there is always another day. The key is never to give up.”

Professors not only impact students, sometimes their work also can make changes at a national level. Case in point: Pablo Sanabria will put his SPA education to work as he leads a team to modernize Colombia’s public sector workforce.

Sanabria, SPA/PhD ’12, recently won a $700,000 grant from the government of Colombia to design the framework of a comprehensive policy that promotes innovative and effective human resource management in the public sector.

“Colombia's public sector gets a mixed review, with modern HR practices in some organizations and less desirable practices such as cronyism, political patronage, and clientelism in others,” explained Sanabria, a faculty member at the University de los Andes in Bogotá. “The purpose of this grant is to establish a new baseline for Colombia’s public sector and help modernize its human resource management system.”

SPA edge

There was strong competition in the selection process from other schools backed by seasoned researchers, but Sanabria says his doctoral studies in public administration at SPA “gave me the edge. I had state-of-the-art methods and literature at my disposal in developing our proposal.” Sanabria added, “Public administration research in Colombia does not have a strong empirical base, particularly in the use of quantitative and qualitative methods, which we were able to bring to the table with this project.”

After finishing his PhD in only three years last year, Sanabria joined the faculty of the Alberto Lleras Camargo School of Government at the University de los Andes, Colombia’s top-ranked university and one of South America’s top five. Sanabria’s research team will include nearly 20 faculty members and student research assistants from the schools of government, business, and law to develop a comprehensive view of human resource management in the public sector.

About the project

The two-year project will start with baseline research to understand the state of Colombia’s human resources in the public sector. Taking a bottom-up approach to the research, the team will work with public officials and human resources offices to document current practices and expectations in public sector employment. Simultaneously, the team will undertake a global review of best practices in both theory and practice. The research will culminate in recommendations for the design of a comprehensive human resources policy as well as evaluation methodologies that can be used to measure the policy’s effectiveness in the future.

The project is a natural outgrowth of Sanabria’s PhD dissertation, which analyzed the professional paths of former study-abroad students in Colombia to understand their career choices. Sanabria found that public service motivation, age, and previous experience were among the many factors playing a role in public sector career choice in Colombia.

“Younger workers are more inclined toward public sector, but that changes as people age,” he said. “Many young college graduates are interested in working in the public sector, but discover there is not an easy or well-defined route to getting these kinds of jobs, and they end up finding other ways to satisfy their desire to help society.”

On the other hand, Sanabria found that those who take the public service path can sometimes be demoralized by their work, feeling that their contribution is not significant enough, paid enough, or appreciated enough by society. “It’s important that we make sure that policies and practices are in place to keep public sector workers motivated and feeling valued,” said the researcher.

Service-driven career

Sanabria knows firsthand the lessons and challenges of a service-driven career path. After earning a master’s degree at the London School of Economics, the Bogotá-born professor spent several years in the public, nonprofit, and private sectors before returning to academia, where he felt he could have the greatest impact.

“I realized that I could have a multiplying effect as an academic scholar, especially by helping educate Colombia’s future leaders,” said Sanabria, who is designing two new master’s programs at the university and serves on the board of directors of the International Research Society for Public Management in addition to teaching and research.

Sanabria hopes to have the same impact on his students that AU had on his career trajectory and beliefs about public service.

“American University’s ideals of serving society and putting ideas into action have shaped me personally and professionally,” said Sanabria. “My PhD helped get me where I am today – teaching at a top university, doing research I love, and hopefully making a lasting contribution to public affairs in my country.”

When Mayra Rivera, CAS/BS ’13, was a senior at Bell Multicultural High School in the Columbia Heights neighborhood of Washington, D.C., she was No. 2 in her class of 173 students. But as the daughter of El Salvadorian immigrants and with her mother a small business owner, Rivera wasn’t sure if she was going to apply to college.  

“I never heard of American University, even though I live here in Washington, D.C.,” Rivera says. “But during my junior and senior year, we had a representative from AU come over and give us a presentation, and I started thinking about it.”

Rivera applied to AU, and, thanks to a competitive financial package, she accepted. Four years later, with multiple federal work study (FWS) positions under her belt and a passion for working with children, Rivera is taking advantage of an assortment of student employment and volunteer opportunities both on and off the campus. As a first-generation student, Rivera is changing her family’s expectations about a college education and blazing a trail for her younger relatives while still finding ways to give back to her community.

Rivera has plans to use her degree in health promotion to educate children about the power they have over their bodies and choices. The adaptability and individuality of the subject appealed to Rivera.

“You have the power to change your health—to eat healthier, to exercise—and I feel like the reason why a lot of people don’t stick to diets or don’t go and work out is because they don’t know, they lack the education,” Rivera said. “So with health promotion, I’m learning how to implement programs and ways to approach how to make changes today.”

Sharing those lessons with children has been the main thrust of Rivera’s FWS positions with DC Reads and Kid Power. Introduced to the organizations through the Career Center’s Student Employment Coordinator, Tasha Daniels, Rivera worked with DC Reads for a year and then transitioned to Kid Power, where she has been for the last two years.

Students looking for FWS positions or part-time jobs on campus should regularly check the AU Student Jobs website, www.american.edu/studentjobs, keep an eye on list-serv or department emails that may advertise positions, and should be persistent, Daniels says. Look often, both before and during the semester, to see what kind of opportunities are out there, she suggests.

“Finding any job is a process,” Daniels says. “Keep applying until [you] land a position. … Submit professional application materials—resume and tailored cover letter—to increase [the] likelihood of landing a position.”

With both of her FWS opportunities, Rivera has been able to stay local and focused on her educational goals. During her time at DC Reads, Rivera worked with students one-on-one at CentroNía, a bilingual charter school in Columbia Heights—a five-minute walk from her home. At Kid Power, where Rivera both works as a FWS employee and is conducting an internship, Rivera is applying her knowledge about physical health and nutrition while leading whole classes.

“I was able to give back to my community,” Rivera says, and her impact is still felt years later. “The mom of the girl who I tutored at DC Reads works at Target and I also work at Target, and we always talk, and I always ask her questions about her daughter—I just saw them, and she’s grown up. And it’s nice to see they remember me.”

Rivera ensures the students remember her lessons about health, too. Thanks to encouragement from her Kid Power supervisor Shaden Dowiatt, Rivera is involved in the program Veggie Time, teaching students about gardening and nutrition.

“She’s fantastic; the kids really, really love her,” says Dowiatt, SIS/MA ’10, LAMB Site Director for Kid Power. “I think she relates really well to the students; she’s always very positive, smiles a lot, is pretty easygoing. Her passion and her focus is obviously on health education. This year she’s been doing an internship with me—she’s helped develop some of the lessons about nutrition and I’ve encouraged her to share those lessons with the students.”

And Rivera isn’t the only AU student at Kid Power. The organization employed both university alumni and 44 FWS students in fall 2012—about five to six AU volunteers are located at each of Kid Power’s 10 sites, Dowaitt says—and that atmosphere creates an undeniable sense of camaraderie.

“This past summer, we had this close connection,” Rivera says of her AU peers who also worked with Kid Power at their summer camp. “We all hung out at night, we had dinner and stuff together—we created this little AU family.”

And as for Rivera’s own family, they’ve been affected by her college choice, too. Although her mother was initially skeptical of her decision to apply to AU and hoped Rivera would help her with her small business, she’s grown to appreciate that Rivera “wants to do more”—“she’s always encouraging me, and now she brags about me going to college,” Rivera says. And Rivera’s younger sister has followed in her footsteps, and is currently a student at Georgetown University.

With graduation coming up in May, Rivera hopes to volunteer with other health- or children-focused nonprofit organizations and eventually gain employment at one; graduate school isn’t out of the question, either. But for now, she’s staying with Kid Power, hoping to introduce students to healthy recipes and eating habits. Without these FWS opportunities, Rivera says she’s not sure how she would have been able to so effectively prepare for her career.

“I never heard of Kid Power or DC Reads before federal work study, but it’s my interest to work with kids and to help them,” Rivera says. “If it weren’t for [FWS], I don’t know how I would get this experience.”

Eric Fleddermann SIS/BA ’13 is proof positive you can have it all as an AU student. On any given day, you might find the senior preparing a mock trial case, helping a peer write a résumé in the AU Career Center, or laying down a drum beat for the Screamin’ Eagles Pep Band at a basketball game. It’s all part of the rich tapestry that has made up Fleddermann’s “American experience.”

“Being a student in D.C., I can attend court hearings, participate in political rallies, and take advantage of so many other opportunities on a daily basis,” said Fleddermann, a Missouri native pursuing a double major in international studies and business administration, and a minor in Arabic language.

A highlight of Fleddermann’s AU experience has been serving as president of the American University Mock Trial (AUMT) team, coached by School of Public Affairs professor Jessica Waters. The self-proclaimed underdog team made a splash this past semester, beating out national champions at a Columbia University invitational, considered one of the East Coast’s most prestigious tournaments. Fleddermann also took home a top attorney award at the tournament.

“Seeing our team blossom into such a success has been so rewarding,” he said.

His favorite class, Justice, Morality, and the Law, taught by Professor Waters honed his courtroom talent. “We debated controversial legal issues like terrorism, birth control, hate speech, and religious exemption,” said Fleddermann.

“The class taught me to consider all sides of an issue before presenting an argument.”

AU has also offered Fleddermann a gateway to the world. In 2011, he spent six months studying Arabic and business at the American University in Cairo, Egypt, arriving in the heat of the Arab Spring movement.

“I was a child of 9-11 and the Iraq and Afghanistan wars, events that affected me deeply and made me want to better understand that part of the world,” said Fleddermann.

Real-world work experience has also been a part of Fleddermann’s life in D.C. He interned at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission among other workplaces, but he found job satisfaction working in AU’s Career Center. There, Fleddermann, a peer advisor since sophomore year, undertook data crunching, résumé writing, as well as marketing and outreach tasks.

“It’s been so rewarding to help other students reach their career goals. I also get to use my oral presentation skills I’ve developed through the mock trial team to speak to classes.”

Fleddermann now faces the exciting challenge of deciding where to apply the “arsenal of skills and knowledge” he has acquired at AU. The senior is contemplating government, law and national security among career paths – all great options for a new grad in the nation’s capital.

“My time at American has helped ground my ideals in reality,” said Fleddermann. “We can create change in the world, but it takes time, it’s hard work, and at end of the day, you may not make a grand change but at least you can change individual lives, and that’s what I hope to do.”

“My entire career has been devoted to public service, the law, and improving the administration of justice,” said Rainey Ransom Brandt, CAS/BGS ’89, SPA/MS ’90, CAS-SPA/PhD ’93, during her Senate confirmation hearing to become an associate judge of the District of Columbia Superior Court.

When announcing her nomination in March 2012, President Obama said, “Throughout her career, Rainey Ransom Brandt has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to justice. I am proud to nominate her to the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.”

Although she is still awaiting confirmation from the Senate to become an associate judge of the D.C. Superior Court, Brandt was sworn in as a Superior Court magistrate judge on November 7 after spending 14 years as special counsel to the chief judge of the D.C. Superior Court.

As special counsel, Brandt was the in-house expert on criminal law and prisoners’ rights, handling sentencing issues and answering inquiries regarding law changes. In her new role as a magistrate judge, she will preside over preliminary hearings in domestic violence cases, including arraignments and child support.

While attending American University, Brandt had different plans. The popularity of the show “L.A. Law” piqued her interest in pursuing a career as an FBI agent. But research she conducted at the now-closed Lorton Prison while completing her PhD in justice with a specialization in corrections changed her mind. She decided to go to law school at Catholic University, but no longer wanted to join the FBI.

Brandt taught classes while she was a graduate student and has remained committed to AU as an adjunct associate professor for 21 years – including one year as a full-time professor – and teaches one criminal justice class every semester.

“I learn more from my students than they learn from me,” Brandt says. Moderating classroom discussions has shown her the value of integrating many opinions and points of view, and she hopes her experience as a professor in the classroom will translate to being a judge in the courtroom.

“My students have taught me how to deal with issues and controversy. As a professor, I have always tried to be a calming influence over their chaotic lives. … Having to deal with all those different scenarios over the years has taught me how to be calm and rational under pressure,” she adds.

No matter where her career goes next, Brandt’s dedication to AU and education is unwavering. She says, “I will always remain a professor at heart. … I won’t stop that just because I’m becoming a judge.”

Growing up as a fourth generation Appleton, Wisconsin citizen, Steve Wieckert, SPA/BA ’78, SPA/MPA ’81, loved his hometown but sought to expand his horizons during his college career. After landing a critical internship in Wisconsin Congressman Tom Petri’s office, Steve’s knowledge and love of effective legislation solidified.

Years later he was given the opportunity to return to Appleton and put knowledge he had learned in Prof. Bernie Rosen’s class to work in his community.

As a Wisconsin State representative for District 57, Steve fought tirelessly to protect the public health of his constituents. One issue Steve tackled head-on was the bureaucracy and inefficiency surrounding organ donations. He remembered Bernie Rosen’s concept of the Iron Triangle, wherein a worthy cause, legislature, and executive backing had to work in harmony for effective policy to pass.

Research shows that 95,000 Americans nationwide are on organ donation waiting lists and 6,000 die each year due to a lack of available organs. Steve saw an opportunity to provide better tax incentives for the travel and expenses associated with such a physically serious donation, and he believed that “the person donating shouldn’t have to pay any out of pocket expenses.” He now had his cause.

Legally, there were countless taxation hurdles to jump though. “There are so many rules and regulations you can get tripped up on,” says Steve. Steve says his time at AU taught him the importance of solid networking, and he had a reliable team of fellow public servants to aid in his cause. Former Wisconsin governor and then-Secretary for the Department of Health and Human Services Tommy Thompson put Steve in touch with the Justice Department to review his legislation. They received the affirmation of “I don’t see why you can’t do that”, and Steve and his team rejoiced. After months of review, “we found a way to navigate and comply with all the rules.”

While Republicans and Democrats don’t always see eye to eye, Steve says this piece of legislation was a “slam dunk” for all. Bipartisan support gave “Cody’s Law” the backing necessary to complete the Iron Triangle’s triumvirate.

After this groundbreaking precedent was set, it became a national trend. Other states faced the same issues, and “they needed a model, an example, a template that would work”. Steve’s successes resulted in 26 other states jumping on the bandwagon to help incentivize their citizens’ organ philanthropy, and Wisconsin saw a dramatic 20 percent increase in organ donation.

Steve, who “leads by example” with his own fitness, says his motto has always been, “If you believe in what in your doing, you’ve got to keep trying”. To that end, he recently qualified for the Boston Marathon with a time of 3.37 hours and plans to swing by campus and connect with students on his way to run next April.

Neale Lunderville, SPA/BA ’96, has spent his career in public service and improving his home state of Vermont, which is one reason he will receive the 2012 Alumni Achievement Award.

Lunderville decided to attend American University partly because it was far from Vermont, where he grew up, but also because of “the value AU places on service,” he says. As a student, he was active in the Student Government, University Senate, the Student Advocacy Center, and Varsity Quiz Bowl.

After graduating and spending a few years living in D.C., Lunderville was drawn home when Vermont gubernatorial candidate Jim Douglas (R) asked him to run his campaign. Douglas won, and Lunderville began his career giving back to the state. He was senior staff in Governor Douglas’s administration for four years before becoming Secretary of Transportation and later Secretary of Administration.

Lunderville left government to work for Green Mountain Power, a private business, but when Tropical Storm Irene hit Vermont, he once again answered the call to serve when Governor Peter Shumlin (D) asked him to be the state recovery officer. The storm was one of the worst in Vermont’shistory and closed 500 miles of state roads and hundreds of bridges, impacting and displacing thousands of residents.

“In many ways, it was completely devastating,” Lunderville says.

As recovery officer, he coordinated all aspects of disaster relief on the local, state, and federal level. The storm hit in September, and all roads and bridges reopened before Christmas. Vermont was hailed as a model state for disaster recovery.

“In some places, this would take years, but it took Vermont less than four months. It’s a remarkable achievement for any state, but it shows the real character of our state,” Lunderville says.

Now, Lunderville is CEO of NGAdvantage, a new energy company that will deliver natural gas to Vermont businesses that do not have access to a pipeline. Former Vermont Governors Douglas and Shumlin were on hand for the recent groundbreaking of the company’s new filling station, where natural gas will be compressed and loaded onto trucks for delivery to businesses.

Natural gas is much less expensive than traditional electric power, and Lunderville believes NGAdvantage can save Vermont businesses millions of dollars, hopefully allowing them to expand and create jobs for Vermonters.

“I love Vermont; I love working to make this a better place, and I was very fortunate to work for the governor of Vermont and in positions where I could affect positive change. Even with our new business, one of the reasons we’re doing it in Vermont is we believe in this state, and we want it to be a better place. … Those are all ideas that were strongly reinforced at AU,” Lunderville says.

In fact, Lunderville has worked with many AU Eagles on campaigns and in state government. He says, “AU has played an important part in Vermont’s history in the past 10 years. A lot of people involved in politics in Vermont have a strong AU connection.”

Though Andrea Walton, SPA/BA ’16, just arrived at AU as a freshman this fall, you might have already seen her face around – for example during the televised roll call of the Democratic National Convention held this September in Charlotte, North Carolina.

When Walton, 18, took her seat among more than 5,000 DNC delegates and alternates from across the country, she did so as one of the youngest to ever serve as a delegate to a national political convention.

“The whole experience was amazing -- the opportunity to be around so many like-minded people, make great connections, listen to speakers and meet politicians” including Former President Bill Clinton, said the student. “It was literally one big political party!”

Politically active throughout high school with the Indiana Democratic Party, Walton was recommended to the DNC by party leaders in her home county of Gibson County, Indiana, recognizing her promise as a future leader. Walton first got interested in politics in middle school, when then-presidential hopeful Hillary Clinton came to her hometown of Princeton, Indiana, in 2008.

“It was an eye opener,” said Walton.

Walton spent two summers as a page in the U.S. House of Representatives, which further kindled her political aspirations.

“I worked right on the house floor during sessions, so I really got to see the legislative process in action,” said Walton. “I had unlimited access to the Capitol.”

Highlights of her stints as a page include meeting House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and Vice President Joe Biden, and witnessing Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords’ first vote after an assassination attempt.

Walton hopes to return to the halls of Congress – as an elected official herself. In attending AU, she is following in the footsteps of more than two dozen alums to become U.S. senators and representatives so her dream isn’t such a distant one.

In the meantime, Walton is enjoying the life of a poli-sci student in the political beehive that is American University. Just a few weeks into the semester, she’s already working as a staff assistant in the SPA Dean’s office, participating in the AU Dems, attending fundraisers for President Obama and taking advantage of “so many other cool opportunities,” she said.

“I’m really happy to be at AU. I love my classes; I feel like I’m really being challenged.”

Kirk Nemer, SPA/BS ’84, is no stranger to protecting the rights of Americans. Shortly after graduating from American University’s School of Public Affairs and receiving his Juris Doctorate from Wayne State University, He was selected to be a Legislative Attorney for the United States Congress. He provided legal opinions to Members of Congress and advised Congressmen and Senators for congressional hearings. 

Kirk attributes being selected for Legislative Attorney position to the foundation that he received at the School of Public Affairs. He shared that “the Chief Counsel credited the internship that I had as an American University student on Captiol Hill and my experience in Washington, D.C. as an asset that helped me to attain the position.” Kirk used his legal prowess in matters of discrimination and disabilities to change the way employment and privacy of information issues were addressed in America. He worked tirelessly on two notable pieces of legislation—the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA), that eventually became law.

During five years working for Congress, Kirk developed a passion for seeking justice in the realm of employment law, and he shared this passion with American University students as a lecturer at the School of Public Affairs. 

Kirk notes that one of his greatest joys, when reflecting on his professional and personal success, is in knowing that he helped provide students with the tools to accurately interpret the law and seek justice in the best interests of people.

Kirk’s career illustrates his commitment to protecting equality in America—from facilitating the passage of laws to providing students with the tools to do the same.

After nearly 20 years of serving as legal counsel and vice president of human resources for many Fortune 500 corporations, Kirk continues to advance his commitment to ensuring equality and protecting the rights of employees nationwide. He is the founder and president of Career Protection, a company that focuses on negotiating the legal rights of individual employees. 

Kirk uses his legal background and human resources experience to help individuals protect the future of their careers. He shared that “it was through the American University alumni network that I was able to connect to many executives and employees to assist them with workplace issues, which helped me to build my company.”

Kirk has found tremendous success in helping people understand their value to their employer, the rights to which they are entitled, and ways to protect their careers. He also continues to impact the lives of many current and prospective AU students. 

Kirk has shared his personal AU experiences and story with many prospective students and their parents in the Denver area. His commitment to today’s students is fueled by the same desire that led him into the classroom to teach, that motivated his effective litigation strategies in the courtroom, and that paves the way for him to eradicate employment injustice. He desires that students will one day share in his passion and also use the tools that they receive at American University to affect change in their respective fields.