Shaping Leaders to Face Today’s Complex Challenges

What makes the Graduate School of Public and International A airs (GSPIA) unique, and how does the Ridgway Center enhance that experience to prepare students for a more open dialogue on the global stage?

The GSPIA prides itself on shaping the next generation of forward-thinking leaders in international a airs and public service by o ering a rigorous academic experience and extensive experiential learning opportunities that inspire our graduates to address diverse challenges. Our location at one of the country’s most distinguished research institutions, combined with its new Washington, DC Center, allows students to network with both local Pittsburgh leaders and those on the national stage.

Securities and intelligence studies majors receive training in leadership, research, and technical skills development. They also have the opportunity to participate in a variety of projects, events, and workshops.

At the Ridgway Center, students work with worldrenowned researchers and practitioners on projects tackling real-world security problems, including nuclear proliferation, WMDs, extremism and political violence, transnational organized crime, and cybersecurity. Outside the classroom, students participate in working groups that provide cutting-edge research to client agencies working in security, development, and diplomacy. In addition to these public-private partnerships, the Ridgway Center o ers internships, independent studies, and scholarships to a select number of students. Events are hosted throughout the year.

How is the Ridgeway Center actively working to promote new perspectives in its diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice initiatives and to provide leadership opportunities for traditionally underrepresented groups?

The Ridgway Center has undertaken a concerted e ort to increase the diversity, equity, and inclusion of our programming. Recently, we created a new speaker series,

Black Scholars in International Relations, which host prominent African American scholars who are making important contributions to our understanding of international a airs. This series is part of a larger multi-year initiative, Diversity Series in World Politics. We were also thrilled to host Lt. General Richard Clark, the first African American superintendent of the U.S. Air Force Academy. The vast majority of Ridgway Center events last year featured women and/or members of underrepresented communities. We will continue to promote new voices and perspectives in the years ahead.

The Ridgway Center is co-sponsor of the University of Pittsburgh’s chapter of Women in International Security, which is dedicated to advancing the leadership and professional development of women in the field of international peace and security. The chapter maintains a student executive board that provides valuable leadership roles and experience to our students.

What skills will students need to meet the challenges policymakers face in today’s changing world?

Policymakers confront complex challenges—an ongoing global health pandemic, the struggle for social justice and equity, persistent threats to peace and security—that o en transcend national boundaries. Even as the policy challenges change, the skills students need to confront them remain largely the same. These include, but are not limited to, informed subject matter expertise, critical and ethical thinking, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and clear, coherent communication. We train our students in all these areas. In doing so, we shape leaders who are adaptable, compassionate, and visionary—leaders who are ready to face the complex challenges in the world today.