Student Resources / Student Organizations

Student Initiatives

The Fund for Student Initiatives (FSI) is intended to encourage the formation of student-led organizations at the School of Public and International Affairs (SPIA), and to promote professional development, leadership, intellectual stimulation, networking, and fun.

You may propose to allocate funds for guest speakers, film series, training workshops, luncheon debates, group recreational activities, or group trips to Washington for professional and academic development. Activities and events are expected to revolve around your group, but must be open to all interested SPIA students. Ideal proposals will project a variety of disparate activities.

Proposed organizations must be broad enough in scope to ensure the involvement of a significant number of students. Other ideas for activities are welcome, but viable examples would include career-related clubs in areas such as:

Defense & Intelligence

Diplomacy & Foreign Service

International Organizations

Nonprofit Management

Public Policy Themes

Environmental Policy

Human Rights Advocacy

Globalization & Development

National/Regional

China

Middle East

Europe

Africa

The SPIA Student Cabinet will review the applications, evaluate the proposed activities and budgets, and rank the proposed organizations. Final decisions on funding will be made jointly by the Student Cabinet and the dean.

If your organization was funded last year (all budgets expire December 15), it is eligible to be funded again, but you must reapply and go through the competitive process.

Student Organizations

International Student Initiative

"The International Student Initiative supports international students through a series of dedicated meetings to create a network of support, promote campus resources, and provide opportunities for intercultural exchange."

Student Organizations

Continuing Conversations

"Continuing Conversations is a student-led group open to GSPIA staff, faculty, and students. The group was founded to examine our implicit biases and to have meaningful conversations with those with different opinions."

Student Organizations

International Movie Night Initiatives

"The International Movie Night Initiative provides a channel for cultural exchange through cinema. It holds screenings of films from around the world that depict life in the countries or regions they originate from."

Student Organizations

The Strategic Gaming Group

"The Strategic Gaming Group exists to increase the awareness and practice of simulation games for the purposes of policy analysis and education. "

Student Organizations

Francophones/Philes

"Francophones/Philes creates a space where students are encouraged to learn and practice the French language. This mission is driven by student-run educational activities and interactions that promote an appreciation of the French language and culture."

Student Organizations

Doctoral Peer Membership Initiative

"The Doctoral Peer Membership Initiative promotes greater cohesion among GSPIA's doctoral student body through community-building activities with the goal of facilitating quicker and easier acclimation of incoming students through peer-to-peer consultation and support."

international students
student walking on campus
students watching movie
student playing video game
Eifell Tower
student in cap and gown