Government students interact with foreign diplomats
Students within Liberty University’s Helms School of Government heard from top diplomats during a trip to the Embassy of Ukraine and the Embassy of the Republic of Finland in Washington, D.C. Oct. 26.
The trip began with a short visit to the 9/11 Pentagon Memorial, where students walked around and even stopped at one point to pray over the U.S. government.
Students then headed to the Embassy of Ukraine, where they heard from Deputy Chief of Mission Denys Sienik and Dr. Kateryna Smagliy, first secretary of public and cultural diplomacy community relations for the Embassy of Ukraine.
Dr. Smagliy discussed Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and the gross humanitarian consequences of Russian full-scale aggression against Ukraine. She also introduced students to seven different books that she recommended, including “The Jungle Grows Back” by Robert Kagan, “Bloodlands” by Timothy Snyder and “Watching Darkness Fall” by David McKean.
Students then engaged in a Q&A session with Dr. Smagliy and Mr. Sienik, discussing topics such as the outlook of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
After leaving the Embassy of Ukraine, students visited the Embassy of the Republic of Finland, where they heard from Deputy Chief of Mission Ms. Marjut Akola. Ms. Akola briefed students on key characteristics of Finland, including its comprehensive security plan and sustainability plan. After her speech, students asked questions on topics such as Finland’s recent accession into the alliance as the 31st NATO ally.
The trip was led by professor Scott Roenicke, who joined Liberty’s faculty in 2021 after a 30-year career at the Pentagon as a senior advisor for Russian affairs to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Roenicke views these embassy visits as invaluable extensions to his national security courses.
“Not only can our students learn from these senior diplomats, but they also effectively participate in international relations by infusing their ideas and perspectives into the international dialogue,” Roenicke said. “Embassies will report these students’ perspectives back to their home capitals, which could affect these countries’ policies and information approaches to the issues the students raised. In effect, they will have the unique opportunity to enhance international understanding and collaboration, thereby making the world a better place.”
Junior Mia Grant enjoyed that the trip allowed her to interact directly with different embassy officials.
“It’s been cool to interact with the Finnish and Ukrainian diplomats and be able to have a mutually beneficial relationship diplomatically and personally today,” Grant said. “Even though we’re just college students, the diplomats showed care and respect for us.”
The Helms School of Government sponsors an array of trips each semester for its students, including other recent trips to Washington, D.C. For more information on the Helms School of Government, visit this website.
Editor’s note: Both embassies requested that we add Dr., Mr. or Ms. to each diplomat name. We decided to bend the AP style rule on courtesy titles to accommodate this request.
Smith is the editor-in-chief for the Liberty Champion. Follow her on X
