VMI Department of International Studies and Political Science

05/04/2026

April Events

China: On Tuesday, 7 April, faculty from the IS, ECBU, and HI Departments participated in a roundtable entitled “Prospects for U.S.-China Relations.” Organized by VMI’s Eugenio Lopez Visiting Chair in Asian Studies Dr. Glenn Shive, contributors discussed the national security dimensions (COL Spencer Bakich), the role played by tariffs (MAJ Steven Landgraf), and the historical context (Dr. Liu Qiong) of US-China relations ahead of May’s Trump-Xi summit (Dr. Shive’s focus). A lively and informative discussion was had with an engaged audience of majors from all three departments and beyond. Many thanks to Dr. Shive and the participants!

NSM: On Monday, 6 April, Jack Leetun ’14 (IS, National Security Minor) returned to the Department to share his post-graduation experiences with students in the VMI National Security Minor. A third-year student Washington and Lee University School of Law who will begin work in a Charlotte law firm later this year, Jack touched upon his service in the US Army as an Infantry and Civil Affairs officer, illustrating how his VMI journey and his IS/NSM education have served him well. It was great to have him back!

04/16/2026

COL Rhamey joins a group of international coauthors in International Studies Review to examine the poor analysis of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in popular circles.

Abstract. An old debate on the value of systemic explanations of international relations (IR) reemerged in the wake of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukra

02/03/2025

VMI will welcome Oleksandra Matviichuk, Ukrainian lawyer and global human rights defender to post as a guest speaker next week.

📅 Monday, Feb. 3
🕗 8 p.m.
📍 Gillis Theater
🎟️ The event is FREE and open to the public.

Matviichuk is founder and head of the Center for Civil Liberties (CCL), which has documented crimes committed by the Russian Federation during its invasion of Ukraine. In 2022, the CCL was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its promotion of the “right to criticize power and protect the fundamental rights of citizens” and its efforts to “document war crimes, human rights abuses, and the abuse of power.”

The event is arranged by the Department of International Studies and Political Science and sponsored by the Dean’s Academic Speakers Program.

12/01/2024

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Institute Merit Scholars can receive awards from $5,000 to the full cost of attendance, plus access to the exclusive Institute Honors Program.
A select few high-achieving applicants will be awarded The General J.H. Binford Peay III 1962 Merit Scholarship – one of the most comprehensive scholarships at VMI.
Is this your moment? Apply to the Institute Merit Scholarship today!
🔗 https://www.vmi.edu/academics/institute-scholars/

09/16/2024

On Friday, September 13 the IS Department officially dedicated the COL James J. Hentz Cadet Collaboration Area on the fifth floor of Scott Shipp Hall. Along with family members, current and past colleagues, and friends of the department we honored and celebrated COL Hentz's enormous contributions to the IS Department and to VMI.

As COL Dennis Foster stated in his dedication remarks:

This dedication is a long time coming. To make clear, as with the dedication in honor of Pat Mayerchak a few years ago, this is official Institute recognition of Jim’s invaluable service to VMI, not simply our department celebrating his contribution. As long as there is a Virginia Military Institute, in addition to the Hentz Fund (established and endowed in Jim’s honor to support the IS Department) and the Hentz Award (endowed by our dear friend Louis Blair to honor annually the best thesis produced in completion of the National Security Minor), there will be a Hentz Cadet Collaboration Area.
Jim’s spirit lives on: in the deep and genuine collegiality of the department and its steadfast commitment to the education of VMI cadets; in our curriculum, which remains cutting edge and nationally relevant; and in our product – those we educate – who continue to positively shape the trajectory of the nation. I believe that this particular dedication – of an open and inviting space that IS cadets use daily to work and study, and to interact with each other and with their faculty – is particularly reflective of Jim’s devotion to cadet learning.

Jim’s impact on the cadets he taught remains palpable. Through our communications with IS alumni – which is at an all-time high, thanks in large part to our biannual newsletter (set up by Ryan Holston, now run by Megan Roosevelt) – many IS graduates have come back to us with stories of just how important Jim was to their education, to figuring out their career path, to figuring out how to be most impactful in their chosen professions, and to maintaining a lifelong commitment to learning about international affairs.

06/26/2024

https://www.vmi.edu/news/featured-stories/embarking-on-an-influential-internship-at-us-army-war-college-earl-filgo-25.php

Get an inside look at VMI through stories focused on our exceptional cadets, faculty, and staff. , An internship at the U.S. Army War College was something Earl Filgo ’25 wouldn’t pass up. It was not a particular goal he had been striving for, but something he was required to d...

06/19/2024

https://www.vmi.edu/news/featured-stories/headed-to-army-war-college-connor-cherry-25-.php?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR05cqxGtmhD6moFKFJ226PWM0L_ZlNfEzMoPmp-UOZ-B-QMCz1wFOgVwlE_aem_ZmFrZWR1bW15MTZieXRlcw

The Next Step: Connor Cherry '25

Connor Cherry ’25 is pursuing his passion for international studies and national security with a summer internship at the U.S. Army War College.

He will work at the Center for Strategic Leadership, focusing on updating geopolitical scenarios and understanding security environments in key global regions.

Cherry is set to gain valuable experience and skills through his work at the Army War College, paving the way for a future career in military intelligence and national security.

Read more here: https://www.vmi.edu/news/featured-stories/headed-to-army-war-college-connor-cherry-25-.php

05/28/2024

Majors contribute to the success of the VMI Ethics Team

The Virginia Military Institute Ethics Team recently placed second at the Military Ethics Case Competition held at the United States Naval Academy (USNA) Stockdale Center for Ethical Leadership in Annapolis, Maryland.

05/28/2024

https://www.vmi.edu/news/featured-stories/cadets-win-record-number-of-awards-at-international-law-competition-in-italy.php?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0V5KoB97_EXmYjIiFK-vjlDfQXcFtGXAPx7gG1YtaTnlGcMP0jh0VC3SQ_aem_AfU5MhtzQ-CG6r1dLCXGkrKjQJA8TOq12kzPYQT-JAdL-SExgmVIH9JZ8SZmauA6r-OxMI8aa4zEKNCUkRv2pNXk

05/28/2024

https://www.vmi.edu/news/headlines/2023-2024/woodward-examines-press-freedom-and-terrorism.php?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR3LWjhO_okpJA-m3ImUWopxMQA7HcUSzpiWXtZAnZtNTPyVGNjPh8pTt1o_aem_AfWtXen2aOGfIP1P6SeHaW8MeIO5uloqwYL2le6tyAyhThaYLsEp__WquYewJNkFTf9MsYhJY_2vimhE1aRwnImt

Can media freedom influence the occurrence of terrorist attacks?

Explore the intricate relationship between media freedom and terrorism with Gabriele Woodward ’24 from VMI!

In her research thesis, she investigates how press liberties can impact the frequency of terrorist attacks. Find out more in the comments.

What are your thoughts on this thought-provoking correlation? Join the discussion below!

05/28/2024

https://www.vmi.edu/news/featured-stories/honors-week-unveiling-key-insights-on-war-timing-in-power-transition-theory.php?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAR0RxVORfsQud--vEpI1Th_PadOYOjhUb_qqboZ44LUzHly2izTZeNQSrP8_aem_AfU47upYCJDBBljSA-KamEZpAwYHtg5fBxwZcKAhKJK9aFmS5kU7zLW4ALMwYavV3kJ8o6jBn5PAdTAsb9ipvySy

Have you ever wondered when wars are most likely to occur? 🌍🔍

Devin Thomas ’24 presented his insights into this very question with his honors thesis, “War Onset Power Transition Theory.”

Thomas’s research, guided by Col. J. Patrick Rhamey, focuses on the power dynamics that shape our world. His work integrates theories from realism, liberalism, and constructivism, offering significant implications for international relations and policymaking.

Fins out more in the comments.