Student Organizations

The SFSAC is the elected representative organization of the SFS undergraduate population. As advocates for the SFS student body, the SFSAC collaborates with the Dean’s Office, the GU Student Association, and the other academic councils to address academic concerns, space issues, and other initiatives developed to enhance the undergraduate experience. Additionally, the SFSAC enjoys membership on the SFS Curriculum Committee and the Georgetown University Inter-School Academic Council. The committees of the SFSAC include Special Events, Communications, Development and Fundraising, Diplomatic Ball Planning, and Opportunities. Through these committees, the SFSAC sponsors several events throughout the academic year, including the Diplomatic Ball, Trick or Treat on Embassy Row, and the Student-Faculty Banquet.

Published since 1920, The Hoya is the oldest student newspaper on Georgetown’s campus. Stories are posted every day online, and a paper issue is released weekly. The paper is produced, managed, and edited entirely by students. The staff of the Hoya numbers over 200 students, and includes reporters, opinion writers, photographers, designers, editors, and business staff. 4,000 copies of each issue are distributed around campus and the surrounding neighborhood for free pick-up by members of the Georgetown community.

The International Relations Club is the hub for all student-based international relations activity on campus. It is the main forum for Georgetown undergraduates to build upon their foreign affairs education outside of the classroom. There is a place for everyone in the IRC, regardless of what you formally study at Georgetown. Each year, we host a myriad of speaking, cultural, social, and philanthropic events. We are also home to the Georgetown Model United Nations traveling team, one of the country and world’s most decorated collegiate Model United Nations programs.

The Caravel is the only on-campus publication that focuses on reporting and analyzing international news, providing a unique platform for students interested in international affairs to be published regularly. The Caravel offers a distinct experience to students who want to learn more about journalism. As a newly established publication, the Caravel is growing its staff, and there are many opportunities for you to make an impact. Working for the Caravel promises a demanding but rewarding experience – providing education on international affairs, and hands-on experience in developing a new publication.

The Lecture Fund is a group of students that organizes lectures and co-sponsors events to bring big-name speakers to campus. Lecture Fund is non-partisan and aims only to enrich the academic experience of the Georgetown community. The events organized are designed to educate and entertain the student body. Former speakers include actor Bradley Cooper, author of Milk and Honey Rupi Kaur, then-Senator Barack Obama, and President of Planned Parenthood Cecile Richards.

The Philodemic Society is a student debate society founded in 1830, by a Vice President of the University in order to provide a space for students to hone their debating and practice their eloquence. Illustrious Philodemicians include former Supreme Court Justices, Justices Antonin Scalia and Edward White, as well as former Oklahoma Governor Frank Keating. Philodemic Society is the oldest student organization on campus, and also one of the longest-running college debate clubs in the country.

GU Women in Leadership welcomes undergraduate women of all majors and grade levels to join our organization. We believe the unique dynamic and mission of our organization fosters growth and learning experiences no matter the major or age. As a student organization, GU Women in Leadership (GUWIL) aims to build a network of strong Georgetown women and provide career-oriented guidance for its members through monthly roundtable discussions, guest speakers, and workshops.

The Georgetown University Student Association (GUSA) is a democratic student government that works to resolve common student problems, advocate for the inclusion of students in university processes, and make student life at Georgetown the best it can be. Since 1984, GUSA’s mission has been to serve students on the Hilltop and have been recognized as the official voice of students to the university administration and the greater community.

The Center for Social Justice Research, Teaching, and Service (CSJ) opened its doors in January 2001. The Center has a mission that is simple to state, but far-reaching in its implications: “In order to advance justice and the common good, CSJ promotes and integrates community-based research, teaching, and service by collaborating with diverse partners and communities.” CSJ is guided by that mission as it strives to consolidate and develop work in its three key areas: community and public service, curriculum and pedagogy, and engaged research.

The Africa Forum works to spread awareness and promote dialogue about the 54 nations of Africa amongst Georgetown University graduate students by hosting professionally-focused events, promoting awareness of African culture and history, enabling outreach to the local African community and experts in African issues, and keeping members aware of current international affairs issues in Africa.

The Georgetown Asia-Pacific Forum (APF) connects graduate students, alumni, and practitioners who are interested in Asian affairs, including East Asia and Southeast Asia. APF aims to facilitate interests and deepen understandings on issues in the Asia-Pacific region–ranging from politics, economy, and development to culture and food.

Big Buddies seeks to engage inner-city children from the D.C. area with Georgetown students in activities around the city. Big Buddies aims to support and mentor future leaders (and hopefully future Hoyas!), serving as a program for graduate SFS students to reach out to underprivileged children in Washington, DC.

The Georgetown Anti-Poverty Society (GAPS) hosts presentations, panels, workshops, and other events that connect graduate students with a variety of international development practitioners from the public, private, multilateral, and non-profit sectors.

Georgetown Women in International Affairs (GWIA) aims to strengthen the competencies that are the foundation of quality leadership among our graduate students and to increase the visibility of women in international affairs. Through interactive programming, GWIA connects, empowers and prepares emerging women leaders.

Hoya Circles is Georgetown University’s first multicultural graduate organization. To further recognize the talents and leadership abilities of Georgetown’s minority communities – such as Asian American & Pacific Islander, Hispanic, African American, and Native American students – Hoya Circles aims to serve as a support network to strengthen professional competencies, and increase the participation of minority students in the School of Foreign Service (SFS) while also preparing them to become leaders in the field of international affairs.

The Latin American Graduate Organization (LAGO) is dedicated to promoting the study, appreciation, and understanding of Latin America at Georgetown University and provide students with social, academic, and professional development opportunities.

The MENA Forum serves to raise awareness about pressing issues in the Middle East and North Africa among the Georgetown community and to help foster graduate student engagement with faculty and policy professionals involved in these issues.

PREEA brings together students, academics, and practitioners interested in Russia, Eastern Europe, and Eurasia for lectures, open discussions, networking events, and celebrations of the diverse cultures of the region.

The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs was founded to serve as an academic resource for scholars, business leaders, policy makers, and students of international relations alike, cultivating a dialogue accessible to those with all levels of knowledge about foreign affairs and international politics.

The Georgetown Journal of Asian Affairs is the flagship bi-annual publication of the SFS Asian Studies Program at Georgetown University. Established in 2014, the Journal aims to provide a forum for scholars and practitioners in the field of Asian affairs to exchange ideas and publish research that further the understanding of the world’s largest and most populous continent. The Journal welcomes original social science research papers written on issues relevant to politics, security, economy, culture, and society of contemporary Asia, including Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Georgetown Security Studies Review (GSSR) is the official academic review of Georgetown University’s Center for Security Studies. Its mission is to contribute to security policy debates by exposing both specialists and general interest readers to a wide array of perspectives on both current and historical international affairs issues. SFS students are encouraged to contribute either to the Review or to the GSSR Forum, an online-only component of GSSR which hopes to contribute to ongoing debates about U.S. foreign policy, national security, and international security.