Join ISU’s International Affairs Council Student Club to Lead and Connect Globally

The International Affairs Council (IAC) is seeking driven students from all majors to join their club. Ideal for those interested in organizing a major event and connecting with global professionals and leaders, the IAC offers an opportunity to contribute to a significant community event and build valuable career connections and skills.

The IAC student club has been a cornerstone of student engagement and leadership development since its inception in 1970. The IAC boasts a growing network of successful alumni in the White House, the US House of Representatives, the Peace Corps, in leadership positions at ISU, and more.

“We welcome students from all different majors, class levels, and nationalities,” says IAC vice president, Laura Schuhmann. “We are eager to welcome anyone interested in international affairs, politics, humanitarian topics, and so on! You don't need to bring any knowledge or skills with you, only your interest in international affairs.”

Students can get involved by enrolling for credit (1 credit in Fall, 3 credits in Spring) and attending weekly meetings on Wednesdays from 12-12:50 p.m. in Graveley Hall, or by joining as a club member and participating in the same meetings without college credit. Regardless of how you join, you’ll be part of ISU’s only student-led council of its kind, which hosts the Annual Frank Church Symposium (FCS). 

The FCS provides a platform for students and the public to engage with critical global issues through keynote addresses and panel discussions featuring experts from various fields. IAC members gain invaluable real-world experience in planning, organizing, and hosting the symposium. They gain exposure to leadership roles, the intricacies of international affairs, and the opportunity to network with professionals and scholars from around the globe. 

This hands-on involvement not only enhances their academic experience but also equips them with skills that are highly applicable in their future careers. Schuhmann majored in communications and English and says she has been able to utilize the skills she learned in her programs for her work with the IAC.

"Being a part of the International Affairs Council is such a unique experience where you get to learn and improve so many skills such as event planning, budgeting and fundraising, communicating, and much more.” Schuhmann says. “On top of that, you get to network with not only your peers but the various delegates you get to invite to come on campus. I will never forget last year's keynote speaker and delegates, just how welcoming and sweet they were, and all the conversations we shared.” 

“It's not that it's only a group of students interested in the world, it's also about bringing access to the leaders, activists, and thinkers on that global stage,” says faculty advisor, Colin Johnson, PhD, of the Department of Political Science. “Students get to shape on-campus and community discussions, and they get to work with similarly passionate students. It's a chance to build community in Pocatello and network far beyond”

Former IAC member and president, Eric Morris, reflects on the profound impact the council had on his life: “The International Affairs Council gave me exposure to leadership, experts in the field of international affairs, and changed my path. After participating in the IAC, I started to see things as more achievable and attainable. I also discovered my passion for creating my mark on an organization and leading in my own way, which led me to the Peace Corps and was a useful tool in developing the skills I would need to be a successful Peace Corps Volunteer. Not only that, now I go into jobs knowing that I want to make an impact and be the person that makes a positive change. The IAC was a first, critical step in achieving that.”

Some topics the IAC has recently covered during the annual Frank Church Symposium have included: Europe, Brexit, energy, international trade, refugees, culture, leadership, migration, and more. The 2024 symposium, "Refugees: Culture, Integration, and Leadership," focused on the multifaceted challenges faced by refugees and featured keynote speaker Dr. Carina Hoang, an award-winning author and former refugee.

The 2023 symposium, "Europe at a Crossroads: Progression or Regression?" included a keynote by His Excellency Marek Magierowski, Poland’s Ambassador to the United States, discussing Poland’s strategic position in Europe amid the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Schuhmann says that at the upcoming symposium they will be covering Women’s Rights. 

“To my knowledge, the Frank Church Symposium is the only student-funded, student-organized symposium on international affairs of its kind in North America,” Johnson says. “That makes the involved students exceptional among their peers nationwide, and it's an opportunity to learn and to lead year after year.”

For more information, please contact Laura Schuhmann at lauraschuhmann@isu.edu or club faculty advisor, Dr. Colin Johnson at (208) 282-2540, colinjohnson@isu.edu.