Ambassador Reuben E. Brigety II started his first day as dean of the George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs with a public address that detailed his plans to create leaders who can address the world’s most pressing challenges.
Speaking to a crowd of faculty members, students, administrators and neighbors on Thursday, Dr. Brigety unveiled his STEP plan for the Elliott School. The four-prong approach prioritizes scholarship, teaching, ethics and practice—all key areas required for success and innovation at the Elliott School, Dr. Brigety said.
“Building on the foundation that has been laid out for us, a new task lies ahead,”
Dr. Brigety said. “And that is to take an already highly ranked program and place it firmly amongst the most elite institutions of international affairs in the world.”
Dr. Brigety last served as the U.S. representative to the African Union and the U.S. permanent representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa.
He succeeds Dean Michael E. Brown, who led the Elliott School for a decade until he stepped down from his position last October.
Dr. Brigety’s address is in keeping with the process of consultation and collaboration the Elliott School can expect from the dean moving forward, he said.
His focus on scholarship will involve opening doors and providing resources for both junior and senior faculty members. He said he would place special importance on opportunities for newer professors to prepare their scholarly records for tenure review and ensure all Elliott School faculty members have the support to compete for grants and awards.
Teaching, he continued, is a vital area of emphasis that requires constant engagement between faculty and students beyond the classroom. As a professor at George Mason University and American University, Dr. Brigety said he met regularly with students for coffee, music and conversation in what he warmly called “Jazz with Dr. B.” Those meetings exemplify the type of commitment to students he plans on replicating at GW.
“I hope to institute similar sessions here at Foggy Bottom, so students, be on the lookout for invitations for ‘Jazz with Dean B.,’” he said to laughter from the audience.
Combatting the most challenging problems of the age requires character, Dr. Brigety said, and the Elliott School will focus on incorporating ethics into curriculums and international affairs more broadly.
Finally, he explained that his STEP plan would ensure that students learn applied skills required for the field of international affairs. He underscored the importance of students showing employers “not only what they know, but what they know how to do.”
Dr. Brigety’s focus on practice reflects his own career rooted in experience. He oversaw southern African and regional security affairs as deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of African Affairs. He also served as deputy assistant secretary of state in the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration, where he supervised U.S. refugee programs in Africa, managed U.S. humanitarian diplomacy and developed international migration policy.
His expertise on the African region also could inform a future institute for African studies, policy and research, which Dr. Brigety said he is committed to bringing to GW.
The dean also said fundraising is at the top of his agenda list, and he will start developing a strategy to generate the funds that the school needs to achieve new levels of success.
Showing off his affable side, Dr. Brigety took questions from the audience—including one that came from his young son.
“How do you plan on remembering everyone’s name here?” Dr. Brigety’s son asked.
The dean joked that he will require everyone at the school to wear nametags.
He emphasized the values of the Elliott School, and its aim to be a safe, supportive learning environment that strives for excellence.
“More than anything else, when you have completed your studies, be proud of yourselves and be proud of the Elliott School,” he said.