International Relations program recognizes first graduating class

In August 2024, Arizona State University launched an undergraduate international relations program to equip students with the tools to address today’s global challenges. The program seeks to give students a deeper understanding of international policy and relations.

“Studying international relations helps students better understand the contexts in which shifts in global trade and politics take place. An IR degree trains students to think globally across a number of different key areas: security, economics, and politics,” said Thorin Wright, an associate professor at ASU's School of Politics and Global Studies. “International Relations majors can look forward to learning about how countries and international institutions work together to build cooperation over security and trade; how and why conflict between countries can occur, and how international actors can respond.”

This spring, the program is celebrating its first cohort of graduates.

One member of the graduating class, Liam Nelson, has a passion for language, history and global policy. Nelson also combined those interests by triple majoring and is set to graduate with three

 degrees: Asian languages (Japanese), history and international relations.

“I’ve been fascinated with history and other languages in the past, and I thought that International Relations and diplomacy would be a great way to turn those interests into a sustainable and impactful career,” Nelson said.

Nelson also participated in the ASU's Policy Design Studio and Internship Program, an immersive experience that gives students the opportunity to intern in Washington, D.C. and learn what it’s like to work in an embassy under the guidance of former ambassadors.

“It allowed me to do a deep dive on American diplomacy, especially with regards to the spotlight country of the semester, Türkiye,” he said. “I credit that class and the connections I made through it as a significant part of how I got an internship with the U.S. Department of State.”

Nelson’s set to attend ASU’s Sandra Day O’Connor College is Law in Phoenix.

Ainsley Thornton, an ASU Online student based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is another graduating student from the program.

Thornton says she chose ASU because of the Starbucks partnership, the scholarship opportunities and the flexibility of the ASU Online program — allowing her to complete her education anywhere. Her passion for international affairs led her to pursue a degree in political science.

“For my first years at ASU, I was a political science major, but I always wanted to study international relations since high school,” she says. “Between the scholarships from Starbucks and the ease of online school, I compromised with political science. When I saw that international relations was added as a major, I knew I needed to switch, even though I made the switch in my last year at ASU.”

Thornton’s Sun Devil journey continues, as she’s set to pursue her Master’s of Arts in International Affairs and Leadership at ASU.