School of Media & Public Affairs (SMPA) at The George Washington University

03/03/2025

Has an SMPA professor or faculty member made an impact on you during your time at GW? Nominate them today for the Robert and Christine Staub Faculty Excellence Award to recognize them! 🏆

This award is given to one School of Media and Public Affairs full- or part-time faculty member for outstanding achievement in teaching, effectiveness in advising and mentoring, or service roles outside the classroom.

Nominations for the award can be made by any member of the SMPA community, including students, alumni, faculty, or staff. This award is made possible by the generosity of Robert and Christine Staub, parents of Mallory Staub, CCAS class of 2010.

Submit a nomination by April 14: https://smpa.gwu.edu/staub-faculty-excellence-awards

03/03/2025

SMPA seniors, have you applied to graduate? Don't forget to apply in GWeb by March 14 to participate in the GW commencement on May 18. 🎓

Visit commencement.gwu.edu for the official checklist!

02/27/2025

Calling all SMPA alumni in the New York area! ‼️ You’re invited to “The Future of News Media” with featured panelists, SMPA alumna Zinhle Essamuah, BA ‘15, MA ‘17, and SMPA Director Peter Loge on March 13.

As traditional journalism adapts to the digital age, concerns about misinformation and media trust continue to grow, while innovations like immersive storytelling and decentralized news distribution are redefining how people engage with information. Join GW Alumni for an insightful panel discussion on The Future of News Media to explore how technology, audience behavior, and ethical considerations are shaping the next era of journalism. From the rise in AI-driven content and the battle against misinformation to the evolution of news consumption across digital platforms, Zinhle and Peter will discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

Get your tickets today: https://connect.gwu.edu/site/Calendar?id=129539&view=Detail&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linktree&utm_campaign=the+future+of+news+media+

02/27/2025

We are less than one week away from the 2025 Walter Roberts Annual Lecture, “New Cold Wars: A Conversation with David Sanger.” Join SMPA, Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication, and the Elliott School of International Affairs for a thought-provoking conversation between David Sanger and Frank Sesno.

RSVP: https://smpa.gwu.edu/new-cold-wars-conversation-david-sanger

02/25/2025

SMPA Students, help us recognize you for your achievements! 🏆 There is still time to apply for SMPA’s prize and award opportunities.

Hear from past award recipient, Abigail Brubaker, on how her hard work and dedication earned her the Larry King Scholarship.

Apply by March 9: https://smpa.gwu.edu/prizes-scholarships

02/24/2025

GW experts presented insights and innovative research at the 2025 AAAS - The American Association for the Advancement of Science annual meeting last week. Among these experts were SMPA faculty members Frank Sesno, David Karpf, and Rebekah Tromble.

Read more:

Experts from the university present insights and innovative research at premier science gathering.

02/24/2025

SMPA students have unique opportunities to study both in Washington, DC, and abroad! 🌎

If you are an SMPA student interested in studying abroad, there is still time to apply to the CCAS Short-Term Abroad program, "Cultural Exploration in Yucatan, Mexico: Documenting Issues with Sustainable Tourism." This is a 20-day documentary field study led by Prof. Barbara Benitez-Curry. By collaborating with a local social impact organization, students will engage in meaningful, hands-on learning that extends beyond the classroom.

If you are interested in learning more, you are encouraged to stop by the upcoming info session this week: February 26, 2:30-3:30pm: MPA 429

Learn more: https://passport.gwu.edu/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgramAngular&id=3943

02/21/2025

Earlier this week, SMPA hosted the third event in the Sesno Series. Check out the full event recap in GW Today ⤵️

The former New Hampshire governor was interviewed by GW’s Frank Sesno.

02/21/2025

Mark your calendar for “New Cold Wars: A Conversation with David Sanger” on March 5! Co-hosted by SMPA and the Elliott School of International Affairs, this event will feature Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and SMPA’s Terker Distinguished Fellow, David Sanger, in conversation with Frank Sesno. Together, they’ll explore America’s escalating rivalry with China and Russia in the post-Cold War era. Drawing from his latest book, New Cold Wars, Sanger will deliver a gripping account of the high-stakes confrontations shaping our world spanning military, economic, political, and technological fronts.

Through exclusive interviews with top officials and an in-depth analysis of global events, Sanger’s book unpacks how U.S. assumptions about Russia and China's integration into a Western-led order have shifted—leading to an era of intensified geopolitical competition.

Register for this thought-provoking conversation ⤵️

David Sanger, joins Frank Sesno for a riveting conversation on America's escalating rivalry with China and Russia in the post-Cold War era.

02/19/2025

That’s a wrap on the third event in the Sesno Series! ✅ Thank you to everyone who joined us for “Disruption, Discord, and Democracy: The Road Ahead” with former Governor Chris Sununu. Check out some highlights of last night’s conversation 📸

02/18/2025

SMPA is committed to helping students reach their academic goals! 📚 Last year, SMPA master’s student Angel Busano received the prestigious Larry King Scholarship, established by former CNN personality Larry King to help graduate students pursue their academic careers.

Hear from Angel as she shares how this scholarship has given her the confidence and motivation to continue in her program and to try her best academically.

Reminder: The deadline for all graduate and undergraduate prizes and scholarships is March 9! Learn more ⤵️
https://smpa.gwu.edu/prizes-scholarships

02/18/2025

Today’s the day! Join us TONIGHT for the Sesno Series! This conversation with Governor Sununu will be a true and opportunity you won’t want to miss.

RSVP: go.gwu.edu/TheSesnoSeries

02/17/2025

Attending the Sesno Series tomorrow? We need your help! Do you have a question for Governor Sununu? Help us make Tuesday’s event as engaging as possible by submitting any questions you have: https://form.jotform.com/250436004700139

Haven’t registered yet? RSVP today! ⤵️
http://go.gwu.edu/TheSesnoSeries

02/17/2025

Curious about what it’s like to study at SMPA? We asked our ambassadors to share their favorite classes!

As an SMPA student, you’ll unlock exciting opportunities and hands-on learning experiences. Don’t miss your chance to join SMPA— the internal transfer deadline is this Wednesday, February 19.

Learn more: https://smpa.gwu.edu/transfer-students

02/14/2025

Participate in the Sesno Series! Do you have questions for Governor Sununu? Help us make Tuesday’s event as engaging as possible by submitting any questions you have in advance: https://form.jotform.com/250436004700139

Haven’t registered yet? Seats are still available! RSVP today: go.gwu.edu/TheSesnoSeries

02/13/2025

SMPA students have access to many unique internship opportunities. This past Fall, we asked several students about how studying at SMPA prepared them for the internships they’ve had 🎤

Reminder: Applications for the CAN Internship Fund are open! If you need additional funding for an upcoming internship, learn more and apply: https://smpa.gwu.edu/smpa-career-access-network

02/12/2025

There’s snow place like SMPA (and GW) ❄️

02/12/2025

Student spotlight ✨ Today we’re featuring SMPA Political Communication student Maya Sabeh! Hear from Maya as she shares how studying political communication has strengthened her passion for advocacy and unlocked some incredible opportunities.