Student, Alumni, and Faculty & Staff Spotlight
Student & Alumni Spotlight
Student Spotlight
Zayna Abdel Rahim is the president of the Model Arab League student organization. In Summer 2023, she was awarded the prestigious Critical Language Scholarship and studied on a full-ride in Japan. She is currently interning with the Embassy of Jordan and will continue her work with them next year.
Alumni Spotlight
Sierra Bligh, who earned a Master of Arts with a Major in International Studies, is the recipient of the Graduate College’s Outstanding Master’s Thesis Award in the Social Sciences, Education, and Business. Her thesis, “Feminist Foreign Policy: Analyzing the Core Values and Identities of Feminist States”, was directed by Dr. Franziska Boehme Newell, Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science.
"Of the Year" Awards
The Center for International Studies awards an undergraduate and graduate student, along with a faculty member and staff member an annual title based on their contributions to the Center and students' success.
Undergraduate Student of the Year
Levi Oliver, BAIS in International Business, was awarded as the Undergraduate Student of the Year. Levi minored in Military Science and joined the Army ROTC where he was a distinguished military graduate, and ranked among the top 1% of all Army ROTC cadets across the country. Levi served as the batallion commander at Texas State University, as a campaign aid to Texas State faculty member's bid for local office, and wrote a distinguished thesis work on Gray Zone Warfare along with other scholarly work on structural racism in Texas and global competition and force projection.
Graduate Student of the Year
Alyssa Vandervelde, MAIS in International Studies, was awarded the Graduate student of the Year award. Alyssa is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer from Cambodia, an Americorps volunteer in Las Vegas, and Texas State's Coverdell Fellow in International Studies. Alyssa interned with USAID Bureau of Resilience for Food Security where she coordinated with climate programs and organizations to research and evaluate countries' food security, climate needs, and youth engagement opportunities.
Dr. Ionut Popescu
Faculty Member of the Year
For his work sponsoring student events with diplomats and statespeople, and for teaching IS 4380.
Isis De La O
Staff Member of the Year
Joint Award with Dr. Sergio M. Martinez for their work on the 2023 Ecuador study abroad program.
Dr. Sergio M. Martinez
Staff Member of the Year
Joint Award with Isis De La O for their work on the 2023 Ecuador study abroad program.