Incoming Jackson students urged to lean on expert faculty to navigate global uncertainty

The Jackson School of Global Affairs officially welcomed its new class of graduate students to Yale on September 1 during the matriculation ceremony in Horchow Hall.

The incoming cohort includes 45 students in the two-year Master in Public Policy (MPP) in Global Affairs program, 15 students in the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Global Affairs program, and four students enrolled in the five-year BA/MPP degree program for Yale College students. 

The cohort is truly global in scope and impressive in talent: the students speak 32 languages and represent 29 countries, with relevant work experience in dozens more. On average, they bring more than seven years of professional experience, spanning work as speechwriters, consultants, Peace Corps volunteers, military officers, journalists reporting from conflict zones, AI engineers, climate researchers, and government advisors.

In his welcome remarks, Jim Levinsohn, dean of the Jackson School and Charles W. Goodyear Professor of Global Affairs, recognized the challenging geopolitical climate under which the students enter the school, but encouraged them to take advantage of the eminent instructors who will be leading their courses.

“It’s fair to say the uncertainty around the globe is going to make for an eventful year,” said Levinsohn. “You've got world-class scholars and practitioners to help you and help all of us understand how to make sense of what's going on and give you the tools that you'll need to navigate whatever's on the other side of the hill.”

Levinsohn also discussed the ongoing physical growth of the Yale Jackson School, which recently opened new space at 56 Hillhouse Avenue, which houses the dean’s office and numerous faculty and fellows. “We now have four beautiful buildings,” he said, “and my colleagues and I look forward to seeing you around and enjoying this wonderful real estate that we have.”

The ceremony ended with a benediction from university chaplain Maytal Saltiel and was followed by a community luncheon on the lawn outside of Horchow Hall.