Our

Community Involvement

To meet growing interest and demand in the community, IAF now offers a number of free events each year including films and Global Hot Spot events. To ensure diverse and relevant programming on foreign policy issues, IAF is proud to collaborate with a number of local partners including Interlochen Center for the Arts, National Writers Series, State Theatre, City Opera House, and the Economic Club of Traverse City, and to support initiatives by other smaller groups in the region.

IAF is particularly proud of its growing work in support of local students, who attend IAF events for free and often have the opportunity to engage with IAF speakers in the classroom. 

• Our flagship academic program for high school students – Academic WorldQuest – enters its sixth year of competition in February 2020. This program has not only benefitted the 100 or so students who compete each year, but has infused IAF with youthful energy and a hopeful reminder of our upcoming generation of leaders.

• IAF and NMC's International Services and Service Learning launched the IAF's Student Leadership Team in the Fall of 2019. The Student Leadership Team includes a core group of College students who meet with IAF visiting speakers to learn about careers in international affairs and to discuss issues within the speaker's expertise. Students from the Leadership Team also serve as volunteer workers at IAF regular events. Students who participate in the IAF Student Leadership Team are eligible for credit towards NMC's Global Certificate. Read student takeaways from IAF events here.

• IAF SUPPORT FOR NMC STUDENTS STUDYING ABROAD!
  In 2018, the IAF presented $6,000 in scholarships for first generation college students to participate in NMC’s study abroad programs. NMC was ranked 12th in the nation among community colleges for student participation in short term study abroad! Approximately 60 NMC students participated last year in faculty-led programs in Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Greece, Russia and South Africa!