Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service

Research Focused on Global Hotspots Enhances School’s Career Training

For students at the Bush School DC, robust curriculum offerings centered around developments in Eurasia—as well as other key global hotspots—provide the opportunity to focus on the most pressing geopolitical issues of the day.

At the core of the school’s curriculum is research led by Department of International Affairs Research Assistant Professor Edward Lemon, a known specialist in regional studies of Eurasia. Lemon’s work delves into security issues in Central Asia, global forms of authoritarianism, and ways in which authoritarian regimes circumvent regional security processes through transnational repression. “I’m particularly interested in China and Russia, and their influence globally,” he says. “I think it is attractive for students to have a series of courses that looks at critical national security issues, such as Russian foreign policy and China’s influence in different parts of the world.”

Of course, Lemon is just one among a full roster of engaged faculty whose research spans a broad range of regional and international issues, such as nationalism in social media, international politics of the Middle East, and post-communist transformations in Ukraine and across Eastern Europe.

Lemon notes that the precise nature of the school’s global affairs focus may change in accordance with world events and who leads the US administration. That variability in focus makes Lemon’s research all the more interesting for prospective students. “Under the current administration, we’ve seen a real shift in focus in US national security, away from terrorism and toward the issues related to China and Russia,” he says. “These countries will continue to be important no matter what happens. Many students are coming into the program and wanting to have a better understanding of these countries.”

Lemon is part of the team that reviews graduate applications, and has a keen eye for submissions that may be a good fit for the school, aligning with its mission and academic areas of expertise. “We are looking for students with both an excellent academic record and also a demonstrated interest in national security, intelligence, and international affairs,” he says. “This could be professional experience working in these fields, a story about how their lives or outlook have been affected by international developments, or a personal connection to the world of national security. We recruit students who are committed to public service in its various forms, from working in government to the nonprofit sector.”

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Networking Opportunities Abound for Bush School DC Graduates

From monthly meetings with intelligence and national security organizations to events at think tanks and consulting firms, Bush School DC students are given a range of networking opportunities thanks to the school’s strong ties with the Intelligence Community.
>>>The Bush School DC offers personalized career coaching and assistance with resumes, cover letters, and salary negotiation, as well as informational interviews with alumni and current mid-career students. It also hosts an annual Career Fair that connects students with representatives from federal agencies, think tanks, consulting firms, and nonprofit organizations across the Intelligence Community.
>>>Graduates become part of Texas A&M’s extensive “Aggie” alumni network of more than 500,000 who live across 165 countries. Local Aggie clubs are invaluable resources for recent graduates, offering networking opportunities and professional support.

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Texas A&M University, Bush School of Government & Public Service
https://bush.tamu.edu/DC
[email protected]
202-773-0022