The US Foreign Policy Association’s goals are to increase dialog on relevant foreign policy issues, build a community and expand the career options of students in the US Foreign Policy Graduate Program, Undergraduates in the US Foreign Policy concentration and all other students interested in foreign policy issues.

In order to achieve these goals the USFPA sponsors and co-sponsors three types of events:

• Career Events - Talks and panel discussions from professionals who have careers related to foreign policy.

• Foreign Policy Talks/Panel Discussions - Each semester the USFPA is involved in a variety of events related to a broad range of foreign policy topics.

• Social Events - Throughout the school year the USFPA offers several events geared towards increasing a sense of community amongst fellow students who are interested in foreign policy. These events have included social hours as well as a student/faculty barbecue.

Contact us at usfpassociation@gmail.com or at the USFPA Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/177871705582935/

Past Association Events

NAFTA: Successes, Failures, and Future

USFP Professor Robert Pastor and SIS Professor Manuel Suarez-Mier spoke with students on the landmark NAFTA trade agreement and its impact on the North American continent.

End of Year Dinner

The U.S. Foreign Policy Association sponsored an end of year dinner for students, faculty, and staff in the SIS Atrium. Students enjoyed the opportunity to relax after Finals and engage in casual conversation with faculty.

Coffee Talk on the Diplomatic Challenges of Regime Change with U.S. Foreign Policy Distinguished Diplomat-in-Residence Anthony Quainton

Students gathered in the U.S. Foreign Policy common area on the third floor of the SIS building to hear Ambassador Anthony Quainton discuss the challenges of regime change on diplomatic relations. Ambassador Quainton drew on his long career in the Foreign Service to discuss the recent regime changes around the world and how these changes will impact U.S. relations.

Coffee Talk on the U.S. Role in Libya with Professor Shadi Mokhtari

Professor Mokhtari discussed U.S. foreign policy in Libya, as well as human rights in the Muslim world.  She also examined how U.S. policies in Libya compared to those in Iraq. 

The Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review vs. Defense Budgeting

USFP Professors Gordon Adams and Anthony Quainton spoke on the newly-released Quadrennial Diplomacy and Development Review in February.  They drew on their years of experience within the U.S. government to critique the document, and fielded questions from U.S. Foreign Policy students.

Transformation in Egypt

USFP Adjunct Professor Hillary Mann Leverett joined SIS Professors Kristin Diwan and Boaz Atzili to discuss the recent revolution in Egypt and its effects on the broader Middle East.

Association Officers

Jon Brandt is the President of the USFPA. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts, Brandt spent a year in Cuenca, Ecuador as a volunteer English teacher with WorldTeach. After, he worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina for two years. A dual citizen with Argentina, Brandt is fluent in Spanish, is learning Portuguese, and specializes in Latin America. His interest in foreign policy began by traveling, learning about new cultures, and studying history.

John Nunno is the Vice President of the USFPA. He is a first year graduate student and is focusing on the Middle East. His main interest in the region is the role of non-state actors.  John received his BS in Criminology from The College of New Jersey in 2009 and decided to pursue a Masters in International Affairs in 2010. John currently works at the Career Center on campus as the Customer Service Associate. 

Secretary Guru Amrit Khalsa is a first year graduate student pursuing a Masters in USFP and concentrating on South Asia. She is a native of the D.C. area, and has studied abroad in India and Vietnam. Previous experience includes internships at Voice of America and the Washington Post Express, as well as a fellowship with the Interfaith Youth Core. She currently serves as a Connect Program Facilitator with Soliya, facilitating dialogue with youth residing in the West and the Middle East using the latest social media technology.

Treasurer Luke Heselden is a first year graduate student in the US Foreign Policy program with a focus on national security and economic policy. Luke was raised in Rockville, Maryland and currently interns in the Budgeting for Foreign Affairs and Defense program at the Henry L. Stimson Center. He also works for the American Institute of Physics in College Park, Maryland and serves as the Managing Editor for the Journal of International Service.