Liberal arts students among top choices for international leadership program

Each year 24 students are selected to participate in the Academy for Future International Leaders (AFIL), a year-long program where students will gain global perspective in their chosen field of study. Student applicants go through a rigorous interview process as part of the selection procedure into the AFIL program. This year, 11 of the 24 students chosen were liberal arts majors.

As part of the program, these students participate in an academic seminar that focuses on a different topic of global importance each week, such as agriculture, energy resources and national defense.

Each student is paired with an international executive mentor that serves on the Study Abroad Program Office International Board. The mentors provide guidance and support for students throughout the year, and share their experiences that have made them international leaders.

Throughout the year the students will work on an international leadership project of their choice with the goal of promoting international leadership exchange on campus as Texas A&M University.

Finally, students who successfully complete all AFIL requirements and finish the year with an ‘A’ or ‘B’ can participate in summer international opportunities that are partially funded by the AFIL. They may choose from several options including intern or study abroad, research or volunteering abroad.

Read about each liberal arts student in the 2008 class of AFIL. Click on their names to read a bio.

	Eme Alberico    Political Science & Philosophy		Tony Listi    Political Science, Philosophy minor
	Frank Barat    Political Science & History		Jessica Olivares    Sociology
	Katy Britten    Biology & English		Johan Rocha    English, History minor
	David Caulkins    Communication, Business minor		George Stasny    Economics
	Christina Causey    History, Economics minor		Dave Strohecker    Sociology, Asian Studies minor
	Taylor Hawkins    International Studies

Contact: Blair Williamson, 979.458.1347, bwilliamson@libarts.tamu.edu