Hoover Institution National Security Affairs Fellows Mentorship Program for 2020-21 Academic Year
2020-21 Call for Applications Hoover Institution National Security Affairs Mentorship Program
Have you ever wondered what it’s like to be an Air Force cyber warrior? A tank commander in Iraq? A Navy helicopter pilot? A foreign service officer conducting sensitive negotiations with the Chinese government? If you have, or if you are just curious about learning more about international affairs, you should apply to the Hoover Institution’s National Security Affairs mentorship program. Designed for students of all years and all majors, the program pairs selected Stanford undergraduates with one of eight distinguished diplomats and military officers who come to the Hoover Institution each year as part of the Robert and Marion Oster National Security Affairs Fellowship (NSAF) Program. Started in 1969, NSAFs go on to serve at the highest levels of government. The program’s 200 alumni include ambassadors, generals, admirals, Members of Congress, and a national security adviser.
As part of the mentorship program, each quarter you’ll meet for lunch with your mentorship group (which consists of one fellow and 3-4 Stanford students) at least twice, attend special events with NSAFs and senior U.S. policymakers, and invite your mentor to a student activity – a club, a sporting event, a dorm lunch, or anything that connects them with other Stanford students. Some NSAFs have conducted hackathons with students. Others have guest lectured in classes, helped design alternative spring break trips to military installations to explore civil-military relations, or invited students to their homes for dinner. The goal is to build meaningful bridges and share perspectives – having Stanford students learn what it’s like for these Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, Coast Guard, and State Department officers to operate on the front lines of American foreign policy and having the NSAFs, in turn, gain a deeper understanding of undergraduate life on campus.
No expertise in international affairs is necessary to apply. All majors are welcome. Selection is based on academic excellence, extracurricular leadership, and interest in international affairs. Priority is given to applicants who plan to be in residence for the entire academic year and those who have no prior or current exposure to the military or diplomatic corps. We are looking for students who have wide-ranging curiosity. NSAFs often find the mentorship program to be one the most meaningful parts of their Hoover year. Students often say it’s the most inspiring thing they do at Stanford, connecting them not only to these real-world leaders but to a new student community at Stanford.
Admitted students will enroll in Public Policy 100 (for one unit of credit) each quarter in 2020-21. In addition to attending events, students are required to write a 1-2 page reflection paper about their experience each quarter.
The program is directed by Dr. Amy Zegart. To apply, send a cover letter and resume to Nga-My Nguyen (ngamyn@stanford.edu) by September 1st, 2020.
Want to know more? Check out our video or this article in the Stanford Daily.
