The International Studies Leadership Council (ISLC) is comprised of students who work directly with the program director and associated faculty with the purpose of bringing greater unity and direction to the IS major and program. The ISLC acts as a liaison between students and faculty, works to organize events, listens to student opinions and recommendations, and works to publicize news, information, and opportunities across campus and around the world. They also have the chance to share their thoughts on and experiences with the International Studies Program at Hopkins. To be eligible to join, you must be a declared International Studies major or a freshman intending to declare a major in International Studies.

The ISLC also coordinates the International Studies Program membership with the Baltimore Council on Foreign Affairs.  As a member of the BCFA, International Studies majors are entitled to the following privileges:

  • Attendance to all programs free of charge
  • Invitations to all “dutch treat” Leadership Dinners
  • Receipt of a quarterly newsletter and notification of each program
  • Guaranteed reservations for all events
  • Guest privileges for all programs and Leadership Dinners
  • Substitution privileges for all programs and Leadership Dinners

For more information about the BCFA or to attend one of their events, contact the ISLC leadership.


advISor Mentorship Program

The ISLC’s advISor Mentorship Program was created in fall 2020 as a way to give more experienced International Studies majors the opportunity to become mentors to first-year pre-majors and new transfer students. Mentees can also be any other student majoring in or seriously considering majoring in International Studies who believes having a mentor could enhance their undergraduate experience.

Mentors provide academic, professional, and extracurricular guidance to mentees on a regularly scheduled basis or when called upon by their mentee. Through this venture, the International Studies Program hopes to maintain its enriching and cohesive identity whether it be in a virtual or in-person setting. International Studies majors interested in becoming a mentor and prospective majors wanting to be mentored should fill out the advISor Mentorship Program application by September 7, 2023.


2023-2024 ISLC Committees

Tess Lepelstat, Co-President
DJ Quezada, Co-President

Events Committee

Qingxi Wang, Chair

Foreign Affairs Review (FAR) International Studies Journal

Akshat Sinha, Co-Editor-in-Chief
Justin Wu, Co-Editor-in-Chief

Professional Development and Mentorship

Pranav Kaginele, Co-Chair
Emma Vengosh Weinthal, Co-Chair