For Emma Nunez and her team, a senior capstone project was an opportunity to help a philanthropic foundation plan an innovative community center in Argentina.

For Bryan Fok, the project meant researching deforestation rates and scouring data to help create better environmental outcomes in post-conflict settings.

For Caroline Egan, the experience involved interning with a Rome-based peacebuilding organization, meeting leaders and mentors who work in the field.

The three are among the more than 60 Keough School of Global Affairs seniors, all of whom took on capstone projects this semester. Students worked with Keough School faculty to tackle big initiatives in three distinct pathways — policy, research and internships — as they prepare to complete their undergraduate studies. The projects are required and this year’s student cohort will be the first to graduate as primary global affairs majors.

“Students present on projects in a compelling way that communicates the value of their global affairs education.”

The school celebrated the projects Dec. 3 with a series of lightning-round presentations where students shared insights from their work with fellow students and the Keough School community. The gathering emphasized the variety of ways in which global affairs students can use their education to make a difference, leveraging both skills and relationships as they work on important global issues.

“As a policy school, we think it’s critical that students’ culminating projects acknowledge the variety of postgraduate paths our students pursue, whether that’s graduate school, fieldwork or policy work,” said Dory Mitros Durham, assistant dean of academic affairs for the Keough School. “We provide students with an opportunity to present on their projects in a concise, compelling way that communicates the breadth and value of their global affairs education.”

Diverse ways to make a difference

The breadth of projects showcased the many ways in which students have been making an impact. For students like Nunez, that meant working in a team setting as part of a policy capstone class with Steve Reifenberg, teaching professor of international development.

Nunez’s team worked with The Vines Foundation, the philanthropic arm of an Argentinian farming, winemaking and hospitality company, to help plan a new community center that will provide services and vocational training to the local community. She said the experience was a masterclass in listening to input to better understand community needs.

“My biggest takeaway has been the sheer importance of understanding the community that you are partnered with,” said Nunez, who plans to pursue a career in international human rights. “We interview different members of the community to understand their perspectives and their wants for this community center. This experience has made clear to me that it’s easy to assume what people need, but understanding what they actually want is a more complex and ultimately a more sustainable process.”

For Fok, delving into deforestation in different countries was an opportunity to synthesize and explain data — skills he plans to leverage in a future policy career, ideally one that involves conducting field research for a think tank. Fok was part of the research capstone pathway, with classes taught by Ted Beatty, professor of history and global affairs and China Scherz, professor of global affairs.

“My capstone project enabled me to apply quantitative analysis tools and econometric methods to an important issue in global affairs,” said Fok, who took Beatty’s class. “It prepared me to analyze quantitative data, which is a skill that is necessary as I pursue my professional career. I learned that you can tell very different stories using the same type of data, and that it is always important to explain your interpretation of the data and the conclusions you can draw from it.”

For Egan the capstone project meant interning with the Community of Sant’Egidio, a lay Catholic organization that works on issues including mediation and peacebuilding. The internship was through a capstone class with teaching professor Hal Culbertson. It meant internalizing the community’s culture of service, learning Italian and forging relationships with established leaders in the field as well as young leaders such as Elizabeth Boyle, a 2020 graduate of the Keough School’s Master of Global Affairs program.

“My internship provided an opportunity to expand my professional network, preparing me for my professional career after Notre Dame,” Egan said. “I cultivated meaningful relationships with leaders in the peacebuilding space. The mentorship I received was invaluable to helping me to expand my skills in the workplace and continue discerning my path after graduation. I am grateful to have these relationships, which will last beyond my internship and my time at Notre Dame.”

Becoming changemakers

Faculty said the capstone projects provided meaningful opportunities for students to grow and learn how to help facilitate real change in the world.

“Students’ willingness to engage with complex issues and bring diverse perspectives enriches our discussions and elevates the learning environment.”

“Throughout the semester, I witnessed growth in students' professional skills, particularly in project management, communication, teamwork, and negotiations,” said Reifenberg, who taught the policy capstone course. “By working directly with partner organizations, they developed practical expertise in scoping challenges, conducting research and delivering actionable recommendations. The process of navigating real-world constraints and client expectations prepares them for the complexities of professional life after graduation.

“I appreciate the curiosity, passion, and dedication that our global affairs seniors bring to the class,” Reifenberg said. “They come with a readiness to tackle real-world challenges, while also demonstrating a commitment to use their talents and skills to serve others. Their willingness to engage with complex issues and bring diverse perspectives enriches our discussions and elevates the learning environment for everyone.”

Learn About the Global Affairs Major

To be a global changemaker today, integrating different types of knowledge and skills is critical. Global affairs majors gain the knowledge and skills needed to address global challenges to human flourishing.

Global Affair Major

Originally published by Josh Stowe at keough.nd.edu on December 06, 2024.