Sophomore Colleen Ryan has been selected to attend a national global affairs conference.
The World Affairs Councils of America chose Ryan for a scholarship to its annual national conference, America and the World—2015, in Washington, DC.
Ryan, from Cookeville, Tennessee, is an honors student in the Haslam Scholars Program majoring in global studies. She serves as the student assistant to the director of global studies and was a co-founder of the Global Studies Club.
Ryan competed for a nomination from the Nashville-based Tennessee World Affairs Council and then for scholarship selection from among candidates representing the national network of WACA.
At the conference in November, Ryan will interact with representatives from nearly 100 councils from around the country and will engage with leading officials, business people, scholars, and specialists in global affairs.
“I’m really looking forward to this year’s speakers and am particularly excited to hear from Sharon Morris of the US Institute of Peace, who has done groundbreaking work in conflict analysis and peace building,” Ryan said. “I’m also eager to meet other undergraduates from universities all over the country who share my interest in international affairs.”
The conference will examine key topics in the international arena including China, the United States, and Asia; Russia and Eurasia; cybersecurity; the future of education; youth, jobs and social unrest; food and water; global economic realignment; the future of energy; Africa; and climate change.
This summer, Ryan participated in UT’s Gulu Study and Service Abroad Program in which she was able to study and work in post-conflict Northern Uganda. She conducted gender violence research and worked with Hope and Peace for Humanity, a nongovernmental organization that takes a holistic approach in combating HIV/AIDS and assisting infected and affected Ugandans.
She plans to make sub-Saharan Africa a focus of her studies and professional life. She has also traveled on student programs to China, Costa Rica, and England.
For more information on the World Affairs Councils of America, visit their website.