LDNS LQ Spring 2026

Leadership Quarterly

Spring 2026

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Leadership Quarterly

IAL Fall Graduate Testimonials Matt Lego

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My IAL experience was incredible. My favorite part of the program is that you get to learn from people who have experienced what they are teaching, and hearing their stories furthered my desire to pursue this degree and a future in this field. The leadership aspect of the program was impactful for me, and it emphasized how important leadership is in all aspects of your life. I was able to obtain an internship and earn class

credits at the United Nations Secretariat in NYC. Everything I have learned through this program was extremely useful at the UN. Ambassador Moore and Ashley Wright were a great resource along the way, always available and happy to help. I am excited to see the program continue to grow and see what my classmates accomplish in the future.

My capstone final project was a study on the Practical and Ethical Impacts of AI Becoming a Significant Part of the Defense Industry. I used what I learned throughout the program to develop policy proposals and explain how character-driven leaders are required to take on the challenges this presents.

I am currently working in NYC. I started in October and have already been able to utilize things I have learned throughout the program. I am thrilled about my current position and enjoying the work. In the future, I hope to take the foreign service exam or pursue a career in the State Department.

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Leadership Quarterly

IAL Fall Graduate Testimonials Michael Platisa

As a retired U.S. Army Soldier with a background in Military Intelligence— and now an intelligence professional with a government agency—returning to school to study Intelligence or International Affairs was a natural step.

ASU’s International Affairs and Leadership program stood out immediately, strengthened by strong recommendations and exceptional faculty, including former U.S. Ambassadors and retired Flag Officers.

Washington Week in D.C. further enhanced the experience through inperson engagement with faculty, students, and experts from government, NGOs, NPOs, and think tanks.

My capstone, Chinese Intellectual Property Theft Against the United States, examined an issue central to my professional work: how foreign actors—particularly China—seek to acquire U.S. technology, data, and patented information through access to universities, national laboratories, and the private sector in support of initiatives such as Made in China 2025. This activity costs U.S. entities an estimated $225–$600 billion annually, and my research concluded with policy recommendations for the Intelligence Community, Congress, the private sector, and the international community.

As a nontraditional student, I plan to leverage my professional network to pursue additional government opportunities, prepare for the Foreign Service Officer Test, and give back to the ASU community—especially the IAL program and the LDNS Lab—while continuing to apply 3 the skills gained through this degree in service to our nation.

Leadership Quarterly

Bittersweet Goodbyes and Big Wins: PDS Students Wrap Up the Semester It’s always bittersweet to say goodbye to our PDS students as they return home, but what a journey this semester has been! Last week, our in-person cohort conducted their final presentation—defending their country strategy as a mock U.S. Embassy in Mexico—and they absolutely delivered. We wrapped things up with a fun celebration at a Mexican restaurant to mark the end of the program.

And we can’t forget our online section—they crushed their final presentation too, and their dedication and thoughtful work made PDS complete!. Proud of each and every student!

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Leadership Quarterly

Recent Virtual Events Alumni and current students of Policy Design Studio, MA IAL and AWI Study Abroad joined in for several exciting virtual sessions this past semester, including a new Discussion Series hosted by the lab.

Navigating Federal Careers in 2025 The lab was joined by Danae Bell, Coordinator for National & Global Service Careers at ASU, to highlight various pathways and strategies students need to know to launch and advance their career in public service. In addition, Luke Wenz, Deputy National Outreach Director, West and Military at U.S. Global Leadership Coalition, joined to speak about his own career path and alternative careers for students.

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Leadership Quarterly

Discussion Series

Ambassador Charles Ray

The lab launched its new virtual series to engage alumni and students outside the class on various topics. In November, Ambassador Charles Ray and IAL Professor, joined for the session The Future of Africa and the World. Ambassador Ray led an informative conversation focused on the demographics of Africa over the next 25 years and its impact in the world.

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Leadership Quarterly

Alumni Highlights Ernest "Paju" Tarpeh, MA IAL Alum Fall 2024 Paju, a native of Panama, a tiny village in Sinoe County with fewer than 25 people, spearheads TRUTH Liberia, a movement for justice, accountability, and democratic renewal. Paju, who was born into a community marked by poverty, exclusion, and political neglect, shares that his goal in Liberia today is confronting the systems that continue to fall short on the economic needs of its marginalized ordinary citizens.

Corruption, unemployment, political exclusion, bad institutions, and unequal access to basic services have become daily realities for millions.

After completing his IAL degree at ASU, Paju was looking for a way on how to combine his academic experience with his background in cybersecurity and IT strategy. His journey from rural hardship to global leadership in cybersecurity and international affairs, inspired the creation of TRUTH Liberia. The organization was established to confront the systemic injustices that continue to undermine Liberia’s democratic promise and to give voice to communities historically left out of national decision-making.

TRUTH Liberia believes that policy change begins with truth. They engage directly with lawmakers, ministries, and civil society organizations to ensure that the voices of ordinary Liberians shape the laws and systems that govern them. They don’t just document injustice, they mobilize communities to demand better. As Paju shares, they are not just a nonprofit, but a platform for national renewal. By amplifying community voices and demanding accountability, they aim to build a Liberia where every citizen has equal access to opportunity, justice, and a meaningful role in shaping the country’s future.

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Leadership Quarterly

Alumni Highlights Isabel Haas, PDS 2023 Isabel is currently serving as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant (ETA) in South Korea, where she teaches about 600 students at an all-girls middle school in Gyeongsan-si, a city very close to the metropolitan city of Daegu. Her role is to serve as the “native English teacher” exposing students to English beyond their textbooks and sharing aspects of her culture.

Isabels shares, "I have really enjoyed my time here in Korea. On the weekends, I take advantage of Korea’s impressive public transit system to travel around Korea. As a big outdoorsy person, one particular highlight was hiking Seoraksan with a couple of my friends. It has also been amazing to be here since January, allowing me to have experienced Korea’s winters (a rare experience as an Arizona native) and to witness cherry blossom season in the spring."

On her PDS experience, Isabel shares "my experience in PDS was really great. The opportunity to work closely with and get feedback from former U.S. Ambassadors who are invested in your education was huge...This experience reaffirmed my desire to work internationally and within the diplomatic sphere. The Fulbright Program’s goal is to foster mutual understanding and peaceful relations between the people of the U.S. and other countries through international academic and cultural exchange. This goal directly aligns with my career aspirations and was something I felt like I was working toward and gaining practical experience in through PDS." Following her Fulbright experience, Isabel hopes to pursue a masters in international relations.

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Leadership Quarterly What’s Next: LDNS Lab Initiatives Taking Shape in 2026 New NSA Project Working Group (2026) The Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab will examine the utility and feasibility of drafting a new National Security Act to succeed the original Act of 1947, which established the organizational framework for U.S. military, intelligence, and foreign policy coordination.

American Diplomacy Project – Phase III In 2026, the Lab will continue ASU’s engagement in advancing the Blueprints for a More Modern American Diplomacy, working in partnership with the American Academy of Diplomacy and in coordination with relevant Congressional efforts.

The American Diplomat Podcast The Lab will expand The American Diplomat Podcast in 2026 with increased ASU student engagement through a new segment, The Diplomat Lounge, and explore podcast transmission through a regional NPR outlet.

LDNS Certificate Program 2026 will mark the first full year of offering all of the Lab’s Character-Driven Leadership and Global Literacy Certificates. A major outreach effort will focus on making these certificates available to a broad national and international audience, equipping community stakeholders to help shape our shared global future.

Arizona State University World Innovators (AWI) Program The AWI Summer Study Abroad Program will expand to new global locations in 2026, including leadership project opportunities in Kyrgyzstan and Singapore, among others.

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Leadership Quarterly Arizona Military Leaders Convening at ASU: Continuing a Vital Partnership

Each year around Salute to Service, active duty Arizona commanding officers and senior enlisted advisors convene at Arizona State University to strengthen collaboration between the military and the university. These engagements bring Arizona military leaders together with ROTC cadets, midshipmen, and cadre for leadership development, while also participating in panel discussions open to all ASU students, alumni, faculty, staff, and community members on issues of national significance.

This year’s meetings were postponed due to the federal government shutdown. We look forward to reconvening in the spring and again in November 2026 to continue this important engagement. During these gatherings, military leaders also meet with ASU senior leadership to discuss shared priorities, long-term challenges, and opportunities for collaboration in support of national service, resilience, and public service initiatives.

These meetings strengthen the military–civilian bond and provide meaningful value to both Arizona State University and Arizona’s military installations by fostering dialogue, leadership development, and sustained partnership.

For more information, please contact Kathy Cook, Senior Director for Military & 10 Strategic Initiatives, at kathy.cook@asu.edu.

Leadership Quarterly Genocide and the Courts: A Brief Review of Jurisprudence on the Crime of Genocide from Nuremberg to Today

Text here Ambassador David J. Scheffer

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Leadership Quarterly

Join Us for a Special Event on January 30 Nuremberg Trials 80th Anniversary Commemoration Former U.S. Senator Chris Dodd speaks about the 80th anniversary of the Nuremberg Trials and the role his father, Thomas J. Dodd, played as a U.S. prosecutor at Nuremberg. He will reflect on the importance of international criminal justice.

Senator Chris Dodd

Drawing on personal insight and historical perspective, Senator Dodd will share his father’s experience as a U.S. prosecutor at Nuremberg and examine how the trials shaped the foundations of international criminal justice—lessons that continue to resonate in today’s global efforts to uphold accountability and the rule of law.

Lunch available at 11:00 a.m. EST Program 11:30 - 12:30 EST In person at ASU Washington Center, 8th Floor Virtual 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. AZ MST To register, please click here

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Leadership Quarterly

Spring 2026 Global Literacy Masterclass Series The LDNS Lab is proud to present its Spring 2026 Masterclass series, featuring experienced ambassadors and experts sharing insights on diplomacy, negotiation, and global leadership.

January 21: Tariffs and Supply Chains in the Trump Administration hosted

by Ambassador Edward O’Donnell & Mr. Herbert Roskind January 26, January 27, February 2, & February 4 (a four-part class) Risk Assessment & Decision-Making in Complex International Environments: hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt February 11: Global Literacy Masterclass - Global Trade and the American Worker: Balancing Growth and Equity hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt March 4: (tentative) International Negotiation Strategies hosted by Ambassador Edward O’Donnell March 18: How Global Challenges Shape our Daily Lives hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt Offered through ASU’s Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security (LDNS) Lab, this masterclass series also counts toward the Global Literacy and Impact Certificate and/or Practical Diplomacy and International Leadership Certificate — credentials you can proudly add to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV.

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Leadership Quarterly

Faculty Spotlight: Ambassador Daniel B. Smith Ambassador Daniel B. Smith is a Distinguished Fellow with the International Affairs and Leadership (IAL) Program in the ASU School of Politics and Global Studies. Ambassador Smith retired from the Foreign Service of the Department of State with the highest rank of Career Ambassador, after having served as the State Department’s Transition Director in the 2020 presidential election and subsequently as Acting Secretary and Acting Deputy Secretary of State in the early months of the Biden Administration.

During his career, Ambassador Smith held a number of senior positions, including Ambassador to Greece, Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, and Executive Secretary of the State Department. But it was his service as Director of the Foreign Service Institute, the U.S. Government’s premier training center for the foreign affairs community, that inspired him most immediately to seek opportunities to return to an academic setting after retirement.

He was delighted when he was asked to design and teach a course on intelligence and national security for ASU’s IAL graduate program. That course draws on his experience at the intersection of intelligence and policy making, especially his role as head of the Bureau of Intelligence and Research, one of 18 elements that together comprise the U.S. Intelligence Community. In addition to teaching a course on intelligence and national security, Ambassador Smith has led a graduate seminar at ASU as part of the State Department’s Diplomacy Lab focused on countering disinformation in the Pacific Island Countries.

Ambassador Smith earned his Ph.D. in History from Stanford University and has taught Political Science at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He currently also serves as Chair of the Board of Trustees of the American College of Greece.

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Leadership Quarterly

Shaping the Next Generation of Global Leaders The ASU Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab trains character-driven leaders to navigate complex global challenges with integrity and vision. Located just steps from the White House at the ASU Barrett & O’Connor Washington Center, the Lab provides students from diverse backgrounds with unparalleled access to experts and institutions shaping U.S. and international affairs.

Focusing on leadership, diplomacy, and security, the Lab has prepared more than 500 students for impactful careers in the U.S. Foreign Service, State Department, military, NGOs, think tanks, and more.

Your support helps shape the leaders of tomorrow!

Learn more and donate here 15