ODU International Studies Grad Student Sydney Sheppard Awarded National Fellowship

March 06, 2013

Sydney Sheppard

Sydney Sheppard, a second-year master's student in Old Dominion University's Graduate Program in International Studies (GPIS), was recently named a recipient of a national fellowship for advanced study.

The DACOR Bacon House Foundation in Washington, D.C., provided the up to $10,000 tuition-only award for full-time study during the 2013-14 academic year. The national organization is composed of foreign affairs professionals for the purpose of contributing to the development of mutual understanding and the strengthening of ties between the people of the United States and other nations.

"This is a highly prestigious award that one must be invited to apply to," said Jeff Mistich, assistant director of ODU's Graduate Program in International Studies.

GPIS faculty members were invited by the DACOR Bacon House Foundation to nominate three first-year graduate students for fellowship consideration. In February, the candidates traveled to Washington to meet with DACOR staff and undergo a rigorous interview process.

Joyce Leader, DACOR's education committee chair, wrote in a letter informing Sheppard of the award that the selection panel was impressed by her qualifications and accomplishments. Leader is a former American Foreign Service officer who served as ambassador to Guinea.

In a separate email to Regina Karp, GPIS director, Brett Alison Gold, DACOR's associate director for programs and education, noted the "education committee at DACOR very much enjoyed meeting ODU's excellent candidates" for the fellowship.

ODU's interdisciplinary Graduate Program in International Studies equips students for competitive careers in the global marketplace and reflects the need to educate future leaders capable of navigating complex environments. The program, which draws internationally acclaimed faculty from many different academic departments and colleges across the university, provides unrivaled mentorship that attracts students from around the world, including many Fulbright scholars.

For more information about ODU's Graduate Program in International Studies, go here.