International Studies Stories

Sadie Smith ’26 excels as a water polo captain, cadre member, and honors student at VMI, while preparing for a 10-week internship with the Defense Intelligence Agency in Washington, D.C.

Antonio Ahanj ’24 attributes much of his growth and success to the unique environment fostered at VMI, where supportive relationships and a culture of mentorship have played a crucial role for him.

After spending several summers working in the U.S. Capitol, in both the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate, Jimmy Murphy ’24 will be heading to Notre Dame Law School in the fall.

Impactful, challenging, and exposure to atrocities are not ordinary descriptives for a trip to Europe for college students, but cadets at Virginia Military Institute don’t do ordinary. Recently, 18 commissioning cadets and two staff members traveled to Poland for seven days.

An internship at the U.S. Army War College was something Earl Filgo ’25 wouldn’t pass up. It was not a particular goal he had been striving for, but something he was required to do to complete his national security minor.

The 1st Class cadet and international studies major from Mooresville, North Carolina, will be interning at the U.S. Army War College this summer.

Maj. Timothy Passmore, assistant professor in the Department of International Studies and Political Science at Virginia Military Institute, discusses how nations use the Olympics to improve their reputation both domestically and abroad on the public radio program, “With Good Reason,” May 31-June

The power transition theory appealed to Devin Thomas ’24 due to its focus on power dynamics and systemic changes, which have significant implications for international relations at various levels.

Kaiden Minter ’26, an international studies major, is spending spring semester studying with the Faculty of Political Science at the University of Belgrade in Serbia.

When the days are long and tiring — both exhausting mentally and physically — Audrey Davis ’25 said she can’t give up. Cadet-athletes at VMI not only have their responsibilities with their selected sport but cadet duties on top of that.

Col. Ryan R. Holston, professor of political theory in the Department of International Studies and Political Science, was recently featured on the “Hermitix” podcast and “The Sower,” a podcast of The Ciceronian Society, in which he discusses his recently published book.

Katie Lloyd ’23, an international studies major from Caroline County, Virginia, commissioning into active duty with the U.S. Marine Corps was always the plan. But her time at VMI was crucial for expanding knowledge and skills and finding her specific area of interest.

Anna Yemelianova ’25, an international studies major at Virginia Military Institute, has been named a fellow in the Iris Burton Bulls Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) Fellowship Program.