Testimonials

The Alexander Hamilton Society has been pivotal throughout my academic, professional, and intellectual endeavors in college. AHS's programming helped students who are interested in foreign affairs like me explore the professional and intellectual landscape of the policy world beyond the classroom. Most importantly, I found my core group of friends and colleagues that have lasted beyond college at AHS.

Junie Park

AHS has truly changed my life -- I came into Yale as a freshman with a deep passion for foreign policy and national security, but it was only after attending an AHS speaker event that I was connected to one of my closest mentors today and received a DC internship opportunity that jumpstarted my professional development. Since then, AHS has helped me find friends, mentors, job opportunities, fellowships, and so much more in the national security space, and I'm extremely grateful -- I know I, and so many others, wouldn't be where we are today without all the support that AHS has given us.

Pranav Pattatathunaduvil

The Alexander Hamilton Society has been the single most formative community in my pursuit of American grand strategy. From founding the Wheaton College chapter to moderating panels with leading scholars and hosting a student reading group on U.S.–China relations, AHS gave me both the intellectual framework and the leadership platform to grow. It has shaped not just what I believe about American power—but the kind of person I hope to be in stewarding it.

Zach Welch

The Alexander Hamilton Society has been instrumental in making my dream of working on U.S. foreign policy a reality. Before I became involved in AHS, I wished I could be a part of the "DC world" and connect with like-minded peers and mentors, but I did not even know where to start. From engaging in my chapter's roundtable discussions, local fellowship, and speaker events, receiving financial support and educational enrichment through the Hamilton National Fellowship, putting out my first ever publication in the Hamiltonian journal, and ultimately leading the UC Berkeley chapter as president and advocating for the organization and its mission to any student who would listen, AHS has opened so many doors for me. Thanks to AHS, I am prepared for a career in public service, with a robust, principled foundation and a vast network of friends and role models.

Samantha DeCosta

Testimonials

AHS is unique in foreign policy and national security circles in Washington DC because it is the only professional organization that convenes both world leaders and future leaders for private, candid, and open engagements on today's most pressing topics. It is easy to hear a former Secretary of Defense speak at a venue about the world around them, but it is very rare to have dinner with him later that day and talk through his decision-making process, his biggest motivations throughout his career, and his biggest missteps. AHS is the best place in Washington to have a seat at that dinner table.

David Rader

DC Professional Chapter Chair, Security and Strategy Seminar 2020-2021 China, 2021-2022 Russia, 2022-2023 Defense

As a kid who grew up in rural Michigan, I always had an interest in foreign policy but no family connections or industry insights to figure out how to get to DC. Joining the Hillsdale College AHS chapter changed the trajectory of my dreams and made them a reality. When I graduated and moved to DC, I had an instant group of friends and mentors that wouldn't exist anywhere else. Today, I stay connected through the professional chapter. The professional development opportunities are great, but more than anything I know AHS is preparing future national security leaders, and I believe it is one of the best investments I can make for a safer, stronger United States.

Callahan Stoub

Security and Strategy Seminar 2022-2023 Iran

As one of the chairs of the AHS DC professional chapter, I'm proud to say that the Alexander Hamilton Society provides much more than the typical DC networking experience. While the opportunity to engage with high-level defense and foreign policy officials as speakers and mentors is undoubtedly a perk, I have found just as much value in the network of peers and close friendships I've developed. In a city where the only constant is change, AHS has managed to cultivate an enduring community of individuals brought together by a love for America and commitment to Hamiltonian principles.

Ashley Rhoades

DC Professional Chapter Chair, Security and Strategy Seminar 2020-2021 Iran, 2022-2023 Defense, 2023-2024 Russia

I participated in all four of the Alexander Hamilton Society’s Security and Strategy Seminars on Iran, China, Russia, and defense policy from 2020 to 2024. Participating in SSS provided an incredible experience to learn and engage with an impressive range of foreign and defense policy experts and practitioners, in both the guest speakers and the other fellows, that deepened my understanding of the geopolitical challenges facing the United States. I also developed lasting connections and friendships through the seminars that continue to have an impact on my work and career.

Ian Merritt

Security and Strategy Seminar 2020-2021 Iran, 2021-2022 China, 2022-2023 Russia, 2023-2024 Defense

2025 Student Leadership Conference Recap

August 4, 2025

Dear Hamiltonians,

As I reflect on this year’s Student Leadership Conference (SLC), I’m filled with optimism for the future of the Alexander Hamilton Society and the next generation of foreign policy leaders.

Over the weekend, we welcomed 155 students from across the country to Washington, D.C., representing campus chapters from every corner of the AHS network. These remarkable young leaders embody the very best of our organization, arriving eager to learn, connect, and chart a course for the future.

Throughout the conference, students engaged with more than 25 distinguished national security and foreign policy professionals—voices at the forefront of today’s most consequential debates. From breakout workshops on chapter growth and event planning to panels on emerging global threats and leadership in government, every session was thoughtfully designed to equip our student leaders with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to drive impactful conversations on their campuses and beyond.

We were also proud to host a robust career fair, featuring 36 esteemed organizations. Whether exploring fellowships at think tanks, opportunities in public service, or pathways in the private sector, students left with valuable connections and a clearer vision for transforming passion into a purposeful career.

Perhaps most inspiring, however, was the sense of camaraderie. Over shared meals, between sessions, and in conversations that stretched late into the evening, I witnessed future diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and advocates come together not just as peers, but as friends and collaborators united by a common purpose.

To all who joined us, thank you for making this year’s SLC a success. To our speakers, mentors, and partners, thank you for investing in the potential of these remarkable young leaders. And to the AHS student leaders heading back to campus this fall, we can’t wait to see the impact you’ll make.

Sincerely,

Dr. Max Prowant

Director of Academic Programs