When Emmanuel Gyasi joined the Master of Global Affairs program at the Keough School of Global Affairs, he expected to learn about policy. What he didn’t expect was how deeply he’d be challenged academically, personally and professionally.
As a graduate student, he’s had to learn a lot fast. Along the way, he’s discovered how to prioritize, manage time and stay grounded while keeping his curiosity alive.
“These experiences are shaping how I approach complex global problems, collaborate with people from different cultures, and develop solutions that are practical, thoughtful, and sustainable,” he says.
The Keough School is home to more than two hundred Master of Global Affairs alumni representing over seventy countries. Source: Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame
That mix of rigor and real-world engagement is what makes Keough School graduates stand out. Within months of finishing their degree, 97% of graduates are employed or pursuing further education. Many can be found making a difference at non-profit organisations like the International Rescue Committee, Oxfam International, and UNICEF, public sector organisations such as the Inter-American Development Bank, the U.S. Department of Transport, and the World Bank, as well as in the private sector at the likes of Bank of America, Boston Consulting Group, and Deloitte.
Every project, placement, and partnership gives students the skills, confidence, and perspective to tackle complex challenges and the stories to prove it.
The Keough School of Global Affairs practicum and internships are how you will gain practical skills for your future in policy impact. Source: Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame
Through the Integration Lab (i-Lab), students majoring in Governance and Policy and Sustainable Development work on multidisciplinary teams with global partner organizations to tackle urgent, real-world problems through applied research. Past i-Lab projects include collaborating with Oxfam researching disaster preparedness in Nepal and the Philippines, and studying Biodiversity initiatives in the UK and their applicability to the US. These team-based research projects let students design, test, and deliver practical policy tools and recommendations.
Governance and Policy students focus on institutional design, organizational behavior, policy analysis, and nonprofit management. Sustainable Development students in a STEM-designated major concentrate on environmental sustainability, human-centered design, and impact evaluation.
International Peace Studies majors complete a full semester peace internship, embedded with peacebuilding organizations across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East or the U.S. That placement gives them direct, on-the-ground experience applying classroom training in communities affected by conflict and injustice.
“Working with communities in Uganda and Kenya taught me resilience, adaptability and the power of listening to local knowledge,” student Leah Walkowski says. “At the Keough School, I’m connecting those experiences to broader development policies, learning how grassroots action and high-level strategy intersect, and figuring out how to design solutions that are meaningful, inclusive, and sustainable in the real world.”
The Keough School of Global Affairs connections to Washington, DC prove advantageous to policy students due to the city being a hub for building partnerships with working changemakers. Source: Keough School of Global Affairs, University of Notre Dame
Although the school is located in South Bend, Indiana, the Keough School’s Washington D.C. office plays a crucial role in its policy impact work. Students gain access to networks and opportunities that shape global affairs. The office hosts policy forums, public events, and alumni gatherings, bringing research insights directly into conversations with decision-makers. It also provides career support, helping students connect with internships, site visits, and professional networks across government, NGOs, and the private sector.
The D.C. office links Notre Dame to the nation’s capital, strengthening the Keough School’s impact on migration, peacebuilding, climate change, human rights, and more. For students, it’s a front-row seat to policy in action — and a launchpad for high-impact careers.
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