4/24/25

Jennifer Bassett, an alumna of the Kathwari Honors Program who graduated in 2024, is attending a rigorous program of study at Columbia University. She’s pursuing a Master of International Affairs degree with concentrations in International Security Policy and International Conflict Resolution.

The pursuit of creating a more just world came early for Jennifer. After facing some childhood adversities and becoming a single mother to three daughters, Jennifer could only see the world through policy, through what can be made better with education and action. She realized she could contribute to making a more secure world for her girls.

“I poured my heart into everything I did, practicing writing and advising policy while working as a security analyst. This meant I needed a strong community to support me, especially with my ADHD, learning gaps, and responsibilities at home,” Jennifer explains. “The Kathwari Honors Program gave me that support in a quiet way.”

For Jennifer, the Program provided a feeling of unconditional support and steadiness, which she needed to have so she could trust herself with the education process after struggling in school 20 years earlier. Jennifer reminisces about the moment she knew the Kathwari Honors Program was where she needed to be: “The tour I took with Mr. Kathwari, and his book inspired me. This moment fueled the fire that brought me to WCSU in the first place.”

Despite her passion, Jennifer still found herself struggling to reign in her attention while developing new skills and learning to understand complex political systems. While the Kathwari Honors Program provided the community she needed, as well as some travel funding to help her put concepts into practice at the Oxford Human Rights Consortium and in D.C. for Scholars at Risk Advocacy Seminar, she knew that her work in the classroom was the key to her future success.

Jennifer credits her admission into Columbia to her excellent professors and courses, especially Dr. Arslan’s homeland security class and Dr. Malavisi’s philosophy class. One mentor Jennifer really connected with was Professor Schofield, who guided her through both schoolwork and self-doubt: “Professor Schofield made me feel seen and always supported me. We met weekly, where she would guide me through concepts I didn’t understand. She talked me through every existential worry I had about next steps, and eventually, she led me to this opportunity at Columbia, which I felt in my core this was the right place for me to succeed.”

When asked what advice she’d give to students in the program as they prepare for their futures, Jennifer responds like an International Affairs extraordinaire: “Trust that you deserve a seat at the table, then commit your whole self to showing up as your best self. Always do the work. Read everything you’re given and hear out everything you’re told with gratitude for the experience every single day.”