Leadership Quarterly
Fall 2026
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 A Welcome Message from Ambassador Michael C. Polt Ambassador-in-Residence and Co-Founder, LDNS Lab
Welcome to our Fall 2026 season! The coming months promise an ever more demanding set of challenges in international diplomacy and American national security affecting our students, as they prepare for their journeys as leaders in international affairs. All our programs have been updated to meet rapidly evolving circumstances from our character-driven leadership development and national security programs to our diplomacy and global literacy masterclasses and our undergraduate and graduate academic offerings. None of us can afford to be a passive audience to national and global events. We invite you to join us in preparing to be active participants in shaping a successful future for our university, our nation, and our world – to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons.
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 Faculty Spotlight
LDNS Lab Welcomes Ambassador Robert Gilchrist I grew up in Leesburg, Florida, and studied politics at Wake Forest University, where my interest in politics and foreign policy deepened, including through a semester studying in France. After working for several years and earning a master’s degree from the University of Virginia, I passed the U.S. Foreign Service Officer examination and began a career spanning more than three decades.
My Foreign Service assignments took me across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East and included service at U.S. embassies in Venezuela, the United Kingdom, Romania, Iraq, Estonia and Sweden. I also served as Haiti Desk Officer, Director for Nordic and Baltic Affairs, Special Assistant to the Deputy Secretary of State, Director of the State Department Operations Center, and as a peacekeeper in the Sinai Desert. From 2020 to 2023, I served as U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania, including during the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s fullscale invasion of Ukraine. I later served as Senior Bureau Official and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor before retiring from the Foreign Service. My connection to ASU’s Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab is personal. I served with Ambassador Mike Polt when I was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Estonia. When Mike, now ASU’s Ambassador-in-Residence and Professor of Practice and a co-founder of the LDNS Lab, invited me to join ASU’s Washington, D.C., program, I was pleased to say yes. This fall, I will teach a foreign policy course in Washington, D.C., drawing on my experience in diplomacy and foreign policy. My goal is to help students understand how policy is developed, debated and implemented—and how institutions, competing interests, imperfect information, leadership and judgment shape decisions. Through real-world cases and current international challenges, I hope to give students a practical understanding of how American diplomacy works.
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026
Congratulations, Ambassador Scheffer! The LDNS Lab congratulates Ambassador David J. Scheffer, Professor of Practice and member of the LDNS Lab, on the publication of his new co-authored book, The Story of Modern International Justice, 1993-2025, written with Mark S. Ellis and published by Springer. The book explains the most significant cases and jurisprudence emerging from the 32year record of the judicial institutions highlighted in the book. These include the International Court of Justice, the International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, the Special Court for Sierra Leone, the Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia, the Special Tribunal for Lebanon, the Extraordinary African Chambers, the International Criminal Court, and the regional human rights courts in Europe, Latin America, and Africa. Scheffer and Ellis also describe the recent creation of the Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine and the critical role of defense counsel in the modern atrocity crimes tribunals.
📅 October 20, 2026 | Lunchtime 📍 ASU Washington Center | Washington, D.C. 🎙️ Credible Deterrence Speaker Series Join us as both authors discuss The Story of Modern International Justice, 1993-2025. Those outside Washington, D.C., will be able to participate virtually. Springer: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-032-33243-1 Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0HFR45JFC More event details and registration information coming soon.
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 Upcoming Event | Reclaiming History: Nazi-Looted Art, Restitution & International Affairs
On September 17, at 7:00 p.m. MST, please join author and Assistant Attorney General Adena Bernstein and Ambassador Edward O’Donnell for a special conversation on Nazi looted art, the legal case for restitution, and its impact on international affairs over the last 80 years. Bernstein, as a career prosecutor and a descendant of Holocaust survivors, will discuss specific cases she has studied and their impact on the survivor, arts, and international communities, and Ambassador O’Donnell will delve into his experiences in restitution over his four decades in the U.S. Foreign Service, including a role as Special Envoy and Ambassador for Holocaust Issues, focusing on issues such as property restitution and stolen art. The discussion will bridge legal precedent and diplomatic history, offering a rare look at the ongoing struggle to reclaim cultural heritage and memory.
click here to register for this free event
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026
Welcoming the Fall 2026 Policy Design Students to Washington, DC The LDNS Lab is excited to welcome the newest cohort of Policy Design Students to Washington, DC this fall!
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Working closely with Ambassadors Robert Gilchrist and Edward O'Donnell, our students will simulate a US Embassy Country team as they tackle US-China relations. In addition, they will complete an internship at various organizations throughout the semester. Stay tuned for more exciting updates on our PDS students!
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 AWI Study Abroad: Our Students Share Their Reflections Sophia Agelastos M.A. Student in International Affairs and Leadership
Being able to participate in the AWI program in Tirana this summer has challenged me, put me out of my comfort zone, and strengthened the leader in me that is ever evolving. Thanks to the LDNS Lab's support, I was able to have the opportunity to explore beyond Tirana, where I was based, and see other parts of the country, as well as neighboring countries in the Balkans. This allowed me to engage with Albanians outside the capital and other populations, gaining perspective and context on the regional complexities regarding religion, language, and culture in the Western Balkans. I leave the program inspired to continue my studies with the IAL program, and it has ignited a passion for the Balkans!
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Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 AWI Study Abroad: Our Students Share Their Reflections Andrew Ritter International Relations BA | Asian Languages (Chinese) BA
The ASU AWI Study abroad program has fundamentally changed my outlook on the world. As someone who has never left the continent, travelling to a completely different environment such as Singapore presented not only a culture shock, but a shock in thinking. I spent my time in Singapore on geopolitical analysis but outside of that, I made friends with locals and explored the environment which made me realize the importance of cross-cultural communication. As Americans, most of us tend to never leave our bubble and when we do that, we put ourselves in ignorance and fail to develop nuance. My time in Singapore had me exploring jungle bunkers on the coast, visiting temples in Malaysia, and bartering for everything in Vietnam. What I took back to America was not just souvenirs, but routines and a systematic approach to leadership and taking on challenges reminiscent of Singaporeans which has driven me to take initiative and responsibility for all of my roles; academically, professionally, and personally. Going into my sophomore year at ASU, I am equipped with the proper tools to effectively lead and achieve in my environment and for that I and everyone around me benefits, all because of this program.
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Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 AWI Study Abroad: Our Students Share Their Reflections Oğuz Zafer Atlı My time in Mongolia could best be described as challenging; I did not speak the language, none of my cards from any of my bank accounts worked, and for most of my time there I was at the mercy of people I did not know well. I would not trade a minute of my time there for anything. Every day was filled with experiences I could not possibly replicate anywhere else, and getting to work alongside Gantuya — my amazing mentor at the Ministry of the Environment in Bayankhongor — is something I will forever value. I got to follow a biologist from the Snow Leopard Conservation Agency up into the Khangai mountains to set up trap cameras, I worked with Gantuya and a member of parliament in Mongolia on navigating the legal challenges of codifying climate change policies, and I was able to work with the local environmental department on a project that was designed for UNESCO. I am grateful that I was selected to go to Bayankhongor, and I hope the work I do in the future is as fulfilling as the work I got to do in Mongolia.
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Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 Alumni Highlight: Jovana Vinčić From the LDNS Lab to the Peace Corps I graduated from the Barrett Honors College with a BA in Peace Studies. Through the LDNS Lab, I participated in the AWI Study Abroad Program and Policy Design Studio—experiences that helped shape my interest in diplomacy and international service. I amnow serving as an English Education Volunteer with the Peace Corps in Montenegro. For me, the Peace Corps has been an opportunity to represent the United States through meaningful service and cultural exchange. Working with students who are curious about the
United States and American culture has reinforced her belief in the importance of people-to-people diplomacy and cross-cultural connections. My LDNS Lab experiences helped prepare me for this work. Through the AWI Study Abroad Program, I strengthened my cultural adaptability and learned from General Freakley and Ambassador Polt about ethical leadership. The Policy Design Studio deepened my understanding of U.S. foreign service and diplomacy, while mentorship from Ambassador Moore strengthened my communication skills and understanding of representing American interests with integrity and professionalism. After the Peace Corps, I plan to pursue graduate studies in International Relations and Russian Studies, with the possibility of a career in diplomacy.
Teaching a 9th Grade English class
Wearing Albanian national wedding costume
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026
Character-Driven Leadership in Action Zaw Tu Hkawng, ASU World Innovator, shares an update on Character-Driven Leadership in the Middle East — Dubai & Doha Following the U.S.-Iran conflict, concerns grew about its impact on the Myanmar community in the region. Inspired by a principle that General Freakley and Ambassador Polt often emphasize—that we are leaders in the arena—I reached out to church leaders in Dubai and Doha to explore how Character-Driven Leadership could help communities navigate challenging times.
Zaw Tu Hkawng Their response was immediate and encouraging. Church leaders opened their doors, brought their communities together, and helped organize a leadership training program that brought together more than 20 leaders.
Participants had the opportunity to engage with distinguished leaders and educators, including Professor Mimi Winn Byrd, Lt. Col., U.S. Army (Ret.), from the Daniel K. Inouye Asia-Pacific Center for Security Studies; Professor Elisa Massimino of Georgetown University; and Rev. Dr. Sai Htwe Maung of First Kachin Baptist Church in Los Angeles. The experience was a powerful reminder that leadership is not simply about responding to challenges—it is about stepping into the arena and finding ways to serve others when it matters most.
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 LDNS Lab in the Media: Recent Interviews & Features David J. Scheffer, LDNS Lab Professor of Practice and Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, recently spoke with BBC World News about developments in the war in Iran. Watch the interview by clicking the YouTube link below.
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 LDNS Lab in the Media: Recent Interviews & Features
What can two decades of U.S. involvement in Afghanistan teach us—and what lessons still matter today? On August 15, Ambassador Edward O’Donnell joined the Arizona Jewish Historical Center and Alekain Foundation for a virtual conversation examining the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan, the collapse of the Afghan government, and the enduring lessons of America’s longest war. The discussion also explored what the future may hold for Afghanistan and the implications for U.S. diplomacy and national security.
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 Credible Deterrence Speaker Series: Bruce Hoffman Examines the Evolution of Counterterrorism and Deterrence As part of our Credible Deterrence Speaker Series, the LDNS Lab welcomed Bruce Hoffman, Shelby Cullom and Kathryn W. Davis Senior Fellow for Counterterrorism and Homeland Security at the Council on Foreign Relations and Professor at Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service, for a conversation on the evolution of U.S. counterterrorism policy since 9/11.
Hoffman, who served as a commissioner on the Independent Commission to Review the FBI’s Post-9/11 Response to Terrorism and Radicalization, reflected on lessons learned from 9/11 and examined how the United States and other countries have developed and adapted strategies to deter international terrorism and other national security threats. The discussion explored how deterrence has evolved in both theory and practice, as well as the purposes, challenges, and costs associated with these policies.
View the recording here
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026
Professional Certificates
The Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security (LDNS) Lab at ASU offers professional certificates that combine character-driven leadership, global literacy, diplomacy, and real-world expertise to prepare participants to lead in today’s interconnected world. Which Certificate Is Right for You? Global Literacy and Impact — Complete a series of live, interactive LDNS Masterclasses. Practical Diplomacy and International Leadership — Build practical skills through live LDNS Masterclasses. Leadership Excellence — Develop character-driven leadership through a flexible, self-paced online program. Learn from Leaders. Lead with Character. Think Globally. Build Your Future. Engage with experienced practitioners, strengthen essential leadership skills, and earn a professional credential through ASU CareerCatalyst. Explore our certificates and take the next step in your leadership journey.
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 Mark Your Calendar!
Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 Global Literacy Masterclasses We’re excited to share our upcoming lineup of sessions focused on global leadership, diplomacy, and international engagement. August 24, 2026: Diplomatic Tools for Everyday Leadership and Conflict Resolution hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt September 21, 2026: America’s Global Role: Leadership, Democracy, and Responsibility hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt September 29-30, 2026: International Negotiation Strategies (Parts One & Two) hosted by Ambassador Edward O’Donnell & Mr. Herbert Roskind October 7, 2026: Global Trade and the American Worker hosted by Ambassador Edward O’Donnell October 28, 2026: Representing America: National Awareness and Global Engagement hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt November 12, 2026: Energy and Oil Trading hosted by Ambassador Edward O’Donnell & Mr. Herbert Roskind November 18, 2026: Borders, Migration, and National Security hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt January 27, 2027: Power, Policy, and Prosperity: Democracy, Capitalism, and Governance Today hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt February 23, 2027: America's Global Role: Leadership, Democracy, and Responsibility hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt February16-17, 2027: Tariffs and Supply Chains (Parts One & Two) hosted by Ambassador Edward O’Donnell & Mr. Herbert Roskind March 24, 2027: Global Leadership and Diplomacy First hosted by Ambassador Michael Polt We look forward to your participation in these engaging and timely discussions. Please visit our website for more information and to register! 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. Explore the certificates and requirements here.
AMBASSADOR-IN-RESIDENCE OFFICE HOURS FALL 2026 Please join Ambassador Michael C. Polt for monthly office hours to discuss U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic and international affairs careers. All sessions will be between 12:00 -1:00 p.m. AZ MST. September 14 | October 12| November 16 | December 7
Time 12:00 - 1:00 pm. AZ MST Zoom
You’re Invited!
Washington Week Reception Join the LDNS Lab and the MA in Global Security program for a fun evening of socializing, networking and connecting with MA IAL Washington Week attendees, ASU alumni, faculty and more! Wednesday, October 21st, 2026 6:00pm–8:00pm EST ASU Barrett & O'Connor Washington Center 1800 I Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20006 RSVP Deadline: October 12th
Leadership Quarterly Fall 2026 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