2018: Laura Brendle

Laura Brendle, 2018.

Each year, the Walter Roberts Endowment grants one student in the Global Communication M.A. program $1,500 for accomplishments in public diplomacy-related work and future career aspirations in the field of public diplomacy.

This year, the Endowment is thrilled to award Laura Brendle as the recipient of the Walter Roberts Award for Public Diplomacy Studies! A second prize of $500 was awarded to Riker Pasterkiewicz.

Laura’s plans post-graduation is to continue her work in communications in the D.C. area. While at GW, Laura was the program assistant at IPDGC.  She previously worked in the United Kingdom as a freelance producer and production manager, where she produced a number of award-winning short films. Laura earned a BA in film production at the Arts University Bournemouth.

Riker Pasterkiewicz, 2018.

Riker is with the non-profit New America, as the senior communications associate for the International Reporting Project, and has also worked at the U.S. Department of State in strategic communication and public-private partnership management in Secretary’s Office of Global Partnerships and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

His master’s degree in Global Communication had a focus on international marketing and public affairs management.

Laura and Riker join the distinguished group of Global Communication alumni who put into practice the teachings they received in public diplomacy while at GW and in their careers as public diplomacy professionals.

The other recipients of this award are: