Two Yale grad students selected for Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations

Two Yale grad students selected for Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations

Ellen Chapin and Will Wright, first-year M.A. students at the Yale Jackson Institute for Global Affairs, have been selected to receive the Harold W. Rosenthal Fellowship in International Relations. The fellowship aims to expose students of international relations to the inner workings of the federal government. Recipients spend a summer in professional positions in Congress, at the State Department, or in departments of the Executive Branch.

Chapin and Wright are two of only 30 students selected for the fellowship each year. Established in 1977, the fellowship honors the memory of Harold Rosenthal, a Congressional staffer and victim of international terrorism while on official duty. Fellows are selected based on their dedication to public service, excellence in the field of international relations, and commitment to the values and professional standards set by Harold Rosenthal and past recipients of the fellowship.

Chapin plans to spend the summer continuing her research on counterterrorism in post Arab Spring Africa. “Working for the federal government, especially in policy analysis, is the perfect opportunity to merge my quantitative skills with my interest in detecting violent extremism,” Chapin said. “I’m very excited for the summer and equally thrilled to return to Jackson next year with renewed energy, expertise, and experience.”

Wright intends to spend the summer at Congress. As a member of the military who will return to the operational Army after his time at Jackson, Wright hopes to broaden his understanding of how the U.S. government develops national relations and foreign relations policy. “The Rosenthal Fellowship, much like the Jackson community, is truly committed to public service,” he said. “It’s an honor to get this award and it’s an honor to represent the Jackson Institute.”