International Studies Stories

Sadie Smith ’26 was looking for a college that could prepare her for a successful career and life. She said Virginia Military Institute is a place like no other and it offered the kind of lifestyle she was striving for.

Maj. Aubrey Whitehead, assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, volunteers as a senior mentor two hours each week at the Shenandoah Valley Juvenile Center (SVJC) in Staunton, Virginia.

Two Virginia Military Institute cadets, Josiah Farrell ’28 and Anderson Robles-Rodriguez ’28 have been awarded Gilman Scholarships for study abroad this summer. Both will participate in the Taiwan Huayu BEST Program and study Mandarin Chinese at the National Chengchi University in Taipei.

During VMI’s Honors Week, Earl Filgo ’25 presented his thesis exploring how international rivalries impact global cooperation on climate change. A future U.S. Army military intelligence officer, Filgo combined national security, diplomacy, and environmental concerns in his research.

Jonah Jurak’s ’25 firsthand experience observing public attitudes toward Morocco’s monarchy led him to explore how quasi-democratic systems function in autocratic regimes.

A team of Virginia Military Institute cadets recently participated for the 14th time in the Competition on the Law of Armed Conflict in Sanremo, Italy.

Delilah Martindale ’25 researched for her honors thesis, “Preventing Suicide: The Effect of Visibility on Mental Health Infrastructure.” She chose the subject of suicide prevention in order to merge her major in international studies with her minor in psychology.

Since picking up lacrosse at age 5, Cole Jones ’26 has been drawn to the sport’s blend of physicality and speed — a pace that mirrors his packed schedule of academics, ROTC, and cadet duties. Jones credits the structure and camaraderie at VMI for teaching him how to prioritize.

Scott Streff ’25 arrived at the Virginia Military Institute with dreams of playing lacrosse and seeking a future in the U.S. Army. While his initial goal was athletics, his journey evolved into something far greater, driven by personal growth, academic achievement, and a deepened sense of purpose.

Virginia Military Institute welcomes alumnus Peter W. Moore ’88, Ph.D., professor in the Department of Political Science at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, who will speak on the U.S.-Jordan security relationship on Thursday, March 6 at 8 p.m. in the Nichols Engineering Building.

Ryan Peterson ’25 has learned how to compartmentalize and focus. He said it’s something that his time at VMI has helped frame for him. The international studies major explained that the rigors of academics and playing a Division I sport makes it so he must focus on one task at a time.

Virginia Military Institute welcomes Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ukrainian lawyer and global human rights defender, Monday, Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. in Gillis Theater. The event is free and open to the public.

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.