Julie Emory (’19) was able to explore all of her academic interests, continue to graduate school, and persevere despite challenges during her undergraduate career.
Having pursued majors in history and intelligence/national security studies and minors in religious studies, Asian studies, and economics, Emory is no stranger to a full schedule. As a determined first-generation student who supported herself throughout her undergraduate career, Emory worked tirelessly to ensure her success.
The highlight of Emory’s CCU experience was a study abroad opportunity in Osaka, Japan.
“As a self-supporting student, this year long trip would not have been attainable without my scholarships from CCU,” Emory notes. She adds that the trip prepared for her graduate studies at the University of Washington, where she is currently pursuing a master’s degree in advanced Japanese language.
Emory is able to dedicate her time as a graduate student to intensive Japanese language study due to a Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) award from the University of Washington. Emory believes CCU was crucial to her academic career and her subsequent achievements, citing her rigorous schedule and mentors Jonathan Acuff, associate professor in the Department of Politics; and Ronald Green, associate professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies, as catalysts for her success.
“CCU taught me to always take initiative — apply for everything, discipline myself, and plan, plan, plan!” said Emory.
Just following graduation, Emory held an internship with the CCU-sponsored program Georgetown RISE, a United Nations Centre of Expertise (RSE) on Education for Sustainable Development, in summer 2019. The work involved developing a historic exhibit. “This experience is something I will never forget,” said Emory. “I worked with Habitat for Humanity to create a museum celebrating the proud legacy of African Americans in the city’s West End neighborhood.”
For current students, Emory’s advice is to explore your passions in order to determine what you want to do with your life.
“I will give the age-old advice with a crucial caveat: follow your heart, to the extent that it is possible,” Emory said. “You may have to resort to Plan C. But don’t give up—understand the rules of the game and play again.”
Currently, Emory is workshopping Japanese-to-English translations about the Fukushima disaster, with many more exciting projects on the horizon.
Intelligence and National Security Studies