The 2019 Student Leadership Conference brought together over 70 officers from 34 university chapters. Over four days, students engaged with distinguished scholars and policymakers, learned leadership skills, and gained exposure to opportunities in the broader AHS network.
Chapter Awards for 2018-2019
During the conference, we recognized select chapters and an exemplary advisor for their service and excellence in promoting our mission. Our 2018-2019 award winners were:
Chapter of the Year: Arizona State University
Most Improved Chapter: Georgetown University
Best New Chapter (tie): American University & Liberty University
Advisor of the Year: Matthew Waxman, Columbia University
Students from Arizona State University
Students from American University
Students from Georgetown University
Students from Liberty University
Scott Lincicome of the CATO Institute, Michael Smart of Rock Creek Global Advisors, and Douglas Holtz-Eakin of the American Action Forum
Raphael Cohen of RAND and Roger Zakheim of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute
““Join AHS and become exposed to not only foreign policy, but also the numerous resources and opportunities AHS provides for its students. Be it through internships, fellowships, summer programs, and more, AHS invests just as much in its students as the students invest in AHS.””
Policy Panels
The Conference placed a strong emphasis on critical foreign policy and national security challenges, hosting a series of panels on a range of subjects, from U.S. defense strategy to American economic interests to the future of the Transatlantic relationship. In addition, officers spent the day exploring the U.S. Naval Academy and Museum.
Chapter Development
Chapter officers gained insights on how to emulate successful chapters and effectively represent AHS principles on campus. Through presentations, a mock exercise, and a student panel discussion, officers learned how to build strong chapters, as well as strategies for organizing successful events. Each officer walked away with a comprehensive understanding of the AHS mission and the resources and tools available to support their chapters.
Career Services
AHS serves as the office of career services for our chapter officers, acting as their bridge into the professional world. By building relationships with likeminded institutions, offices, and people, AHS has become the pipeline for trusted and vetted talent in our growing network. Officers had the opportunity to mingle with AHS alumni throughout the conference and heard from professionals in our network during a session on careers in foreign policy.
Career panel for chapter officers
Special Representative for Venezuela Elliott Abrams speaks to students over dinner
““Overall, I feel much more informed when discussing issues of foreign policy and national security
because of the SLC.””