2011 Entering Class Profiles

Nicole Summers , 2014, United States

Why I chose Fletcher: I was drawn to Fletcher because of the intellectual depth of the curriculum and the emphasis on merging theory and practice in the classroom. I want to work at the intersection of law and policy around the realization of economic and social rights, and Fletcher provides the opportunity to gain both the substantive and skills-based training to do this work effectively. At Fletcher, I can explore the debates about strategies to promote human rights, and at the same time gain useful tools such as negotiation and impact evaluation. In addition, I appreciate Fletcher's commitment to building leadership through building substance. Students are encouraged to explore the nuances of policy and to challenge their own perspectives and assumptions. As a result, skills and knowledge are developed from a point of humility, through intellectual curiosity and out of a concern for social change.

On the diversity of the school: I'm incredibly impressed by the both the range and the depth of Fletcher students' experiences  prior to starting graduate school. In any given day the classroom is animated by stories from Ethiopia, Thailand, and Brazil, and the diversity of perspectives brings an intellectual richness that I have not experienced elsewhere. Whether it's a five minute conversation in the hallway, a heated debate in class, or a catch-up at social hour, I'm constantly educated by my peers. It's exciting to build relationships with people from all walks of life and to feel truly part of a global community.