About Us | Baylor International Studies

International studies majors love learning new languages and cultures because they want to connect with people. They like to keep their options open because there are so many interesting things they want to do with their one wild and precious life. International studies majors appreciate how complex the world can be and they are good at navigating ambiguous situations.

Whatever they do, international studies alumni find ways to help people and put a unique spin on their mission. Our alumni who are working in business are improving the resilience of their communities and mentoring employees. Our alumni who work in government are finding the places complex systems break down and they are mending those broken places. Our alumni who practice law are mediating conflicts, counseling clients, and writing contracts to protect people from exploitation. Those who work in diplomacy build rapport with everyone from monarchs to street vendors and then analyze what they have learned to try to help decision-makers make wise decisions. Those who work in intelligence are analyzing patterns, using the causal inference skills they learned in international studies classes, and trying to predict what will happen next.

The International Studies B.A. program was founded in 1953 to prepare students for service to God and Country. Public service is a calling and many of our students and alumni answer that call through careers in the civil service, foreign service, military, education, or the law. To prepare for this work, our students learn languages, study abroad, complete internships, and serve their communities through volunteering.

The main strength of this program is that it is both flexible and rigorous. Choosing from a large list of courses offered by a range of departments, students learn how to read challenging texts, write persuasively, criticize constructively, and connect with people from a variety of different backgrounds. The curriculum has always been interdisciplinary with most classes drawn from humanities and social sciences.

I hope you enjoy the following essays, which aim to paint a picture of the International Studies program, its students, and its alumni.

"I originally chose Ukraine because I had studied abroad there this past summer, but because of the war, the Fulbright has chosen to relocate to Poland. I couldn’t have asked for a better placement because I’ve studied Polish for the past two years and even started a Polish club here at Baylor. I wrote my Honors Thesis on the treatment of Communist monuments in Poland and want to continue studying Poland in graduate school. I’m so excited to have the opportunity to live in the country and hopefully to help Ukrainian refugees and possibly even visit my host family from Ukraine, who are currently in Poland." Congratulations to Faith VanVleet on winning a Fulbright ETA! Faith is a University Scholar with secondary majors in International Studies and Slavic and East European Studies.
"I will be attending The Bush School at Texas A&M in the Fall to pursue a Master of Public Service Administration. I would like to thank both Dr. Hamerly and Dr. Clinton for all their support and guidance over the past few years and especially this past year as I decided on my post-grad plans." Congratulations to Jack LeFavour! He is graduating with a major in international studies and minors in political science and Spanish.
"My favorite professors at Baylor have been Dr. Kudelia, Dr. Long, and Professor Cummings. These professors have been great mentors who have always pushed me to think deeply and pursue my own interests in their courses. I would not be the learner or person that I am without their guidance, encouragement, and willingness to put time and effort into my education. I appreciate the talks after class and emails with articles relevant to my interests more than they know!" Congratulations to Gabby Kennedy. She is graduating in May 2022 with a major in international studies and minors in Russian and Middle East Studies. Gabby won the Richard D. Huff Award for Outstanding Student in International Studies this year.
"I'm extremely grateful for all of the international studies classes I took- each new class gave me a new perspective on international relations that shaped my thesis, my professional goals, and my worldview in general. After graduation, I will be working in Washington D.C. for a year before attending Texas Law School." Congratulations to Claire Nevill! She is graduating with a major in international studies and a minor in international business.
Congratulations to May 2022 graduate Drew Cassibry! He majored in International Studies (intensive) and minored in Arabic. While at Baylor, he was a Greater Waco YoungLife Leader at Waco High School. His future plans are to serve as a U.S. Army Intelligence Officer in the 82d Airborne Division.
"I would like to thank Dr. Perry for all he has taught me and the time he invested in me as a student. During my time as his student and research assistant, he taught me a lot about writing, researching and how to learn and engage with people and ideas different from your own. I will always be grateful for his kindness and faith in me." Congratulations to May 2022 graduate Samantha Ford! She majored in International Studies with minors in French and Women and Gender Studies. After graduation, she will move to Washington DC and pursue a career in public policy.
"My favorite classes were Grand Strategy with Dr. Richard Jordan and IST Capstone with Dr. Ivy Hamerly. I am thankful to my peers and professors for making my time at Baylor all that it was. I will be accepting a Boren Award to study Mandarin in Taiwan for 12 months." Congratulations to José Arráiz Rada! He is graduating with majors in Philosophy and International Studies.
"I am so thankful for the time and energy so many professors invested in my Baylor experience these last four years. Dr. Hamerly and Dr. Campbell have been some of my favorites and did an incredible job adapting to online and hybrid formats in the midst of COVID. I will be moving to Guatemala after graduation to complete a one-year medical research internship before pursuing my MD." Congratulations to Halle Kill! She is graduating with a major in International Studies on the premedical track.
"Throughout my time at Baylor University, Dr. Hamerly's Capstone class along with Peter Campbell's Causes of War class were some of my favorite classes. Both professors and classes represent the best of Baylor and had such a positive impact on my time here at Baylor." Congratulations to Jared Rutherford! He is double majoring in international studies and religion. He will move to Washington, DC after graduation to begin American University's Masters in Global Governance, Politics, and Security program.
"I will be going to grad school in Washington DC this coming fall to pursue a masters in national security and intelligence. My favorite class at Baylor was the IST Capstone class (PSC 4396) by far and I highly recommend every IST major takes it when it’s offered!" Congratulations to Eryn Meyers! She is graduating with a major in international studies and a double minor in Arabic and history.
Congratulations to Bryan Lizano! He is graduating with a major in international studies and a minor in leadership studies. His favorite professor is Wayne Hampton and his favorite class was Global Business.
"My favorite class at Baylor was Dr. Hamerly's comparative government class. I never thought learning about regime change and democratization would change the way I read the news and view the world! I'd like to thank all of my professors, but especially Dr. Long and Dr. Thiltges for showing me that my education is not about me. It is about all those I can fight for because of it." Catherine Van Tatenhove majored in International Studies and minored in French and Poverty Studies. She will graduate in May 2022. Congratulations, Catherine!
"I have been a part of Club tennis for 3 years, treasurer for the past two years, and A team captain this year (my team made it to Nationals in Florida in April). After I graduate, I will be running the Sports Department at Camp Champions (outside of Austin) It will be my 15th summer at that camp." Congratulations to Madison Manherz! She is graduating with a major in international studies, a secondary major in Spanish, and a minor in business administration.
"My favorite professor was Dr. David A Smith in the history department and especially his American Military History class. My joining Sing Alliance gave me some of my best memories and friends at Baylor." Congratulations to Devon May! She will be graduating in May 2022 with a major in international studies and a minor in history.
"I am moving to North Carolina to work with Elevation Church. I’d like to thank you Mom for supporting me through all of my endeavors!" Congratulations to Lauren Dodge! Lauren is graduating with a major in international studies and minors in business administration and French.
Congratulations to all of the international studies majors who graduated in May 2022!