International Development Program, School of International Service

05/01/2026

After years of inspiring students, mentoring future changemakers, and helping shape the Department of Environment, Development & Health at American University, Professor Nanette Levinson is retiring!

We’re inviting current students, alumni, colleagues, and friends to help us celebrate her incredible impact by contributing a message, memory, photo, or note of appreciation to her Kudoboard.

Whether you took one of her classes, worked with her on a project, or were inspired by her mentorship, we’d love for you to share your gratitude and well wishes.

💚 Add your message here:

Kudoboard is an online replacement for the greeting card that you pass around and sign!

10/22/2019

Congratulations to ID student Natalia Cañas on being awarded the 2019 Shlonsky Award!

Congrats to Natalia for her winning proposal for the 2019 Shlonsky Award: "I am honored to receive the Matthew C. Shlonsky Award. Using data I helped collect over the past year, I will shed light on healthcare access challenges faced by undocumented and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) Latinxs living in Washington, DC. Research has been at the crux of my graduate career and I am thrilled that American University and SIS have given me the opportunity to delve deeply into it."

The Shlonsky Award was established in honor of SIS alumnus Matt Shlonsky (SIS/BA ’14) who fell victim to gun violence in the District of Columbia. The award supports SIS graduate and undergraduate students working with SIS faculty in collaborative research or community projects that confront challenges facing the city of Washington, DC. The award encourages students to use their international affairs knowledge to develop research or projects that seek to improve the quality of life in the nation’s capital.

10/16/2019

On World Food Day, hear from ID student and Kirchner Fellow Ephrem Tesfaye Woldegiorgis about his work in agricultural development:

Ephrem Tesfaye Woldegiorgis is earning his SIS master’s in international development.

04/29/2019

Join the IDPSA, faculty, and staff for the end of the year ID Program town hall meeting. The purpose of this town all is to provide students and faculty space to have an open conversation on the ID Program's strengths and opportunities for growth.

04/24/2019

Please join us in the ID lounge on May 1st and 2nd to see your peers Substantial Research Paper and Thesis Presentations!

04/22/2019

Hi students and alumni!

Join IDPSA and the ID alumni board on our annual Spring picnic! We are going to have a delicious barbecue. Great opportunity to hang out with friends and mingle with alumni.

The picnic will be held at Rock Creek Park Picnic Area 1 at 12pm. Please add your name to the online spreadsheet linked below and tell us what you're bringing to the picnic/barbecue!

Hope to see you there!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1JmCb5wm4UGZ8U4onLXMp44FA4bZVBm5b3C9bBHI5KAI/edit?usp=sharing

04/17/2019

Don't miss the spring Facul(Tea) this Thursday from 4:00pm to 5:00pm. Dr. Claire Brunel and Dr. Ken Conca will be in the ID Lounge (SIS 228) to discuss current environmental issues!

04/16/2019

Congratulations to the new IDPSA Board! We are excited for the excellent programming you will provide for students and alumni next year!

04/04/2019

An ex-post study of project impact can inform future programming and validate development approaches. But, what factors should implementors consider when planning such studies? Ilisa Gertner and Caryl Merten share their recent ex-post experience.

As international development professionals, we strive for sustainable project results and an evidence base for our approaches. But the truth is we don’t always know what happens to our efforts after a project closes. Chemonics recently conducted a self-financed ex-post study of a former agricultur...

03/28/2019

03/25/2019

Friends! Mark your calendars: IDPSA & GEP are teaming up to host our spring Friday Forum, next Friday March 29, 6-7:30 pm. We will talk about environmental democracy and how we as future development practitioners can integrate this idea into our practice! Free food will be provided :D