After discovering her passion for international relations and national security through The Webb School Civic Engagement Club and Model United Nations, sophomore Elizabeth Jackson applied and was accepted to Georgetown University’s 2026 National Security & Intelligence Academy. 

In July, Jackson will spend one week utilizing Georgetown’s vast government and international relations resources to learn how policies enhance America’s security; study how the U.S. prevents foreign adversaries from gaining access to national security information; and examine how intelligence information is collected, analyzed, and disseminated. Her interest in international relations was sparked when tasked with writing a bill on national security and collecting data on human trafficking as part of a Model UN project. “It’s slowly become something I’m obsessed with,” she said.

Jackson feels well prepared for the Academy this summer in Washington, D.C., thanks to her additional experiences at The Webb School, where the Emerging Voices program, speech class, and her role as a Son Will Ambassador in the Office of Admissions have helped her develop confident, poised public speaking skills. She looks forward to meeting others who share her interests and exploring Arlington National Cemetery and the Pentagon while visiting Georgetown. 

When she returns to Webb next fall, Jackson hopes to bring her expanded perspective to future bills, essays, and discussions, sharing what she’s learned and continuing to explore global issues with her peers. As she continues her academic journey, she has expressed interest in pursuing a career in international law and affairs, with particular focus on South and Southeast Asia, along with other parts of the world.