Leading Change | Jaam's Student Story

Jaam Ayii immersed himself in a transformative experience through the Leadership and the American Presidency program (LTAP). This prestigious program, conducted in Washington, D.C., by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute and the Fund for American Studies (TFAS), provided Jaam Ayii with a unique blend of academic coursework, professional development, and hands-on experience.

As part of LTAP, Jaam completed an American presidency course offered by George Mason University, engaged in TFAS and the Reagan Institute programming, and served as a leadership fellow for the Global Language Network. In this role at the D.C.-based nonprofit, Jaam took on responsibilities such as handling day-to-day administrative tasks, recruiting and interviewing volunteers, and providing logistical support to language instructors.

Motivated by a lifelong interest in the U.S. presidency and American civic culture, Jaam saw the LTAP program as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to live, learn, and intern in the nation's capital. The program aligned directly with his professional goals of becoming an attorney and/or policymaker. Throughout the program, Jaam had the chance to hear from and interact with Washington insiders, gaining insights into the inner workings of the federal government and clarity regarding his professional aspirations.

In reflecting on the experience, Jaam expressed gratitude, stating, "The LTAP program has provided me with an abundance of lessons that, in only two months, have allowed me to achieve a great degree of personal, academic, and professional growth." 

One of the key highlights of Jaam's experience was the American presidency course, where he gained hands-on experience in writing op-eds and policy memos. This experience improved his writing abilities and provided valuable skills crucial for a future career as an attorney or policymaker.

During his internship with the Global Language Network, Jaam played a pivotal role in a student outreach initiative, enrolling hundreds of new students. This experience enhanced his understanding of promotional outreach and helped him develop soft skills such as time management and communication.

Jaam spoke highly of the warm and welcoming company culture at the Global Language Network, where daily collaboration allowed him to build lasting relationships with coworkers. Thanks to the programming of TFAS and the Reagan Institute, Jaam had the opportunity to network with professionals from various fields, resulting in a broad network of friends, mentors, and professional contacts throughout the D.C. metro area.

Reflecting on the most important takeaways from the summer, Jaam emphasized the value of being a lifelong learner and dispelled the notion that the political environment in D.C. is as polarized as it seems from the outside. He remarked, "The most successful people I encountered displayed a high level of intellectual curiosity. I aspire to follow this example throughout my remaining time in SCETL and beyond."

Jaam also pledged to apply the lessons learned about D.C. politics to his SCETL degree, stating, "I intend to apply the second lesson regarding D.C politics to my SCETL degree by not allowing sensationalism and fear-mongering to dominate and inform the way I approach contentious issues."