International Leadership Council, eMIISsaries Fully Engaged

The Institute’s two affinity groups—the International Leadership Council and the eMIISsaries—were both active this spring strengthening ties between students and school, and school and community.

The International Leadership Council, with a limited-term membership focused on academic advising and student mentoring, met on April 19 on the Institute campus. A morning plenary session moved quickly into briefings with faculty, followed in the afternoon by “Open Office Hours” that offered students the opportunity to sign up for timeslots to meet individually with members of the ILC. This “speed dating” approach to professional career mentoring proved very popular with all participants, with students getting the opportunity to connect one-on-one with successful, active professionals in fields including policy, business, education, language, the non-profit sector, and government.

Local community engagement group the eMIISsaries hosted a series of events this spring designed to foster connections between local residents and the MIIS campus community. In February, 50 community members attended “China in Africa: A Conversation” with Professor Emeritus Phil Morgan and Professor Wei Liang. A similar event showcasing faculty experts on the topic of Israel, Iran, and the bomb is in the planning stages. In March, the eMIISsaries hosted a lecture by Dr. David Brady of Stanford’s Hoover Institute titled “Reading the Tealeaves: Making Sense of the U.S. Presidential Elections.” The eMIISsaries also oversee the International Friendship Program, matching local community members with international students for social activities.