ASU grad explores the intersection of ideas, leadership and impact

From Socratic seminars to policy papers, School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership graduate Hannah Falvey has embraced every opportunity to blend her passions for civic thought, economics and leadership while at Arizona State University. 

With dual degrees in civic and economic thought and leadership and in economics, alongside a minor in political science and a certificate in philosophy, politics and economics, Falvey’s academic path has been anything but conventional. 

Through internships in Washington, D.C., leadership roles on campus and transformative global experiences, she has cultivated a deep understanding of how rigorous analysis and moral inquiry can intersect to tackle society’s most pressing challenges.

Here she shares more about her ASU journey.

Note: Answers have been edited for clarity and length.

Question: Did you receive any scholarships?

Answer: During my time at ASU, I was fortunate to receive several scholarships that supported my academic journey. These included the New American University Provost Scholarship, the George Washington Scholarship from the School of Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership, and the Regalia Award. I also received valuable funding for enrichment programs through SCETL's travel funding and from the organizations themselves, including the upcoming Academia Tocqueville program, the Don Lavoie Fellowship, the Harwood Graduate Colloquium and The Fund for American Studies.

Q: What internships did you participate in?

A: I had three key internships that significantly shaped my professional development. In Washington, D.C., I interned with The Fund for American Studies' International Affairs Program, where I participated in embassy briefings, think tank discussions and government agency visits that showed me how international policy actually functions beyond theoretical frameworks. Simultaneously, I worked at C3 Solutions, researching energy legislation and authoring policy papers that explored climate solutions through both philosophical and economic perspectives. At ASU, I served as a Junior Fellow with the Leadership Diplomacy and National Security Lab, where I assisted with an immersive course in which students role-played as a U.S. embassy team. This experience allowed me to apply my international affairs knowledge while helping students develop practical diplomatic skills through realistic scenarios.

Q: What extracurricular activities were you involved in?

A: I've been fortunate to serve the SCETL Student Assembly as both events coordinator and president, and as a board member for the ASU chapter of the Alexander Hamilton Society, which focuses on current foreign policy issues. I've benefited tremendously from the intellectual life of both organizations and was thrilled to contribute to these communities. 

One of my most transformative experiences was traveling to Israel and the West Bank for a dual-narrative tour, hearing firsthand from invested parties about the persistence of conflict and the threats both sides face. While there, I volunteered at a Palestinian farm and a Jewish-Arab preschool in Tel Aviv. These experiences forced me to confront my naive optimism and simplistic understanding of the conflict, leaving a deep impression that continues to shape my thinking.   

Beyond these practical leadership experiences, I've been privileged to participate in several academic fellowships, including the Fund for American Studies program in Washington, DC, the Harwood Graduate Colloquium, and the SPAGS Junior Fellowship. These opportunities provided intellectual exercise and academic exposure that have made me a better student and person.

Q: What was your “aha” moment when you realized you wanted to study the field you majored in?

A: I think the moment that stands out the most was my first SCETL class as a freshman. It was a very different environment — every class we would begin by moving tables and chairs until we were in a large circle facing one another. We would then spend the rest of class debating, discussing and listening to one another. It was incredibly collaborative, dynamic and amiable. We came to class excited and continued our conversations as we walked out of the classroom. It taught me a lot both about how to present my ideas and how to think sympathetically and critically. 

Q: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

A: My understanding of leadership fundamentally transformed during my time at ASU. I arrived with the conventional notion that leadership meant being "the person at the front," someone with positional authority who creates paths for others to follow. Through my SCETL courses and experiences, I discovered that true leadership isn't a hierarchical position but rather a personal virtue, the ability to motivate and direct oneself and others toward a vision of the good for the benefit of others. 

This insight became tangible during my internship in Washington, D.C., where, despite being "on the bottom of the ladder" as an intern, I found opportunities to exercise genuine leadership. Without industry expertise or deep policy understanding, I realized my leadership opportunity emerged precisely from my inexperience; I could approach problems from fresh angles and ask questions others might overlook. My SCETL education hadn't given me all the answers, but it had equipped me with the right questions and the confidence to voice them. By the summer's end, I had published a paper exploring climate policy from a philosophical perspective rather than the standard technical approach, bringing a unique contribution to my organization. This realization that leadership is about vision and service rather than position has changed how I approach every role and relationship. 

Q: Why did you choose ASU?

A: What I've come to value most about ASU is how it masterfully combines the abundant resources of a large public research university with the interconnectedness and community feel of a small college. This balance has been essential to my educational experience.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: Recognize that education isn't about certainty; it occurs in the presence of wonder. The most valuable lesson I've learned is that understanding what you don't know and having the humility to acknowledge it is the foundation of genuine learning. My most profound educational moments came when I stopped trying to demonstrate knowledge and started engaging with texts and ideas that challenged my assumptions.

Seek to understand different perspectives, not just to refute them. The seminar discussions in my SCETL classes taught me that wisdom emerges not from isolated study but from communal wrestling with complex questions that defy simple explanation. True education happens in the spaces between established positions.

Finally, don't separate your intellectual life from your sense of purpose. The questions we ask and the knowledge we pursue should connect to a larger vision of how we hope to serve others. Education at its best is not merely accumulating information or credentials; it is about developing a coherent understanding of the world and your place within it. 

Q: What was your favorite spot on campus, whether for studying, meeting friends or just thinking about life?

A: The SCETL library has been my academic home and haven. Beyond its aesthetic charm with rugs, dark wood and walls of books, this space became the heart of the SCETL community and the venue of playful intellectual sparring.

I've lost count of how many hours I've spent there, not studying as intended, but engaged in spontaneous debates that started seriously and dissolved into laughter, or conversations that began lightheartedly and evolved into profound discussions about life's big questions. The library became the place where classroom discussions continued and deepened, where friendships formed through the mutual respect that comes from challenging each other's ideas.

Q: What are your plans after graduation?

A: I'm drawn toward eventually pursuing a PhD, as I've found tremendous fulfillment in academic exploration and the kind of deep, nuanced thinking it requires. However, I believe gaining practical experience first would provide valuable context and real-world application for further studies. I'm considering opportunities that would allow me to engage at the intersection of philosophical principles and practical implementation.