The Jackson School of Global Affairs officially welcomed its new class of graduate students to Yale on Monday, August 25, during the Matriculation Ceremony in Horchow Hall.

The incoming cohort of students includes 45 students in the two-year Master in Public Policy (MPP) in Global Affairs program and 15 students in the Master of Advanced Studies (MAS) in Global Affairs program. There are also six students enrolled in the five-year BA/MPP degree program for Yale College students. Six of the MPP students are also pursuing joint degrees with other Yale professional and graduate schools.

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. “But while at Jackson, avail yourself of the faculty and fellows, who will help you understand and learn how to tackle these issues.”

He also invited the students to play an active role in shaping the Jackson School as it continues to build upon its foundation as a leading institution for teaching global affairs. “This place is growing and growing quickly – and you will all be able to help fashion and guide it as we grow.”

David Simon, senior lecturer and assistant dean for graduate education at the Jackson School, added that although the issues the school tackles may be constantly changing, “our values stay the same.”

“The issues we talk about in global affairs – from rewriting the map, literally, to reconstructing tariff policy to tackling climate change – those things haven’t changed,” said Simon. “This school has a unique dedication to addressing those unique global challenges.”

The diverse group of students speaks more than 30 languages and represents more than 30 countries, while roughly half of the class is from across the U.S.

The ceremony ended with a benediction from Ian Oliver, Yale’s associate chaplain for Protestant life, and was followed by a community luncheon on the lawn outside of Horchow Hall.