Washington Semester Students Meet Young Civic Leaders from Southeast Asia

The JMU Washington Semester program recently hosted 22 young civic leaders from across Southeast Asia as part of the Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALl) - a flagship program of the U.S. Department of State that empowers the next generation of changemakers in governance, civil society, and public service. 

In residence at JMU for a five-week program on Governance & Society during the fall 2025 semester, the fellows engaged in seminars, leadership development, and experiential learning designed to strengthen civic and public service skillsets. Through their coursework and site visits, fellows explored  the principles of accountable governance and public sector innovation in the U.S. context.

After a joint workshop on democratization and political development taught by Dr. Manal Jamal, the fellows and Washington Semester students exchanged ideas about leadership, civic engagement, and current global challenges — discovering shared aspirations to strengthen democracy and promote positive change in their communities at home and abroad.