Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies

Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies

Type	Public international affairs and area studies school
Established	2012;13 years ago (2012)
Parent institution	Indiana University
Location	Bloomington , Indiana , United States
Website	hls.indiana.edu

Indiana University Bloomington Global and International Studies Building exterior November 2023.

Indiana University School of Global and International Studies, 355 Eagleson Ave, Bloomington, IN

The Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies, or Hamilton Lugar School (HLS), previously known as School of Global and International Studies (SGIS), is a school within the Indiana University Bloomington College of Arts and Sciences. Established in 2012 and officially named in 2018 to honor U.S. statesmen Lee Hamilton and Richard Lugar, the school is dedicated to the study of international affairs, languages, and area studies. ^{[1] [2] [3]}

History

Lee Hamilton

Richard Lugar

Indiana University's emphasis on area studies and global studies dates back to the 19th century, with modern language instruction beginning in 1836 and international law incorporated into the curriculum by 1842.

In 2012, the university formalized its global focus by establishing the School of Global and International Studies. ^[4] In April, 2013, a ceremony celebrated the school's inauguration and groundbreaking ^[5] of the School of Global and International Studies building. U.S. Sen. Dan Coats, provided the keynote, and Vice President Joe Biden gave a message by video. Former Sen. Richard Lugar and former Rep. Lee Hamilton, professors of practice at the new school, were present as well. On October 15, 2015, Secretary of State John Kerry visited the school ^[6] to celebrate the building opening.

On October 3, 2018, the school was renamed the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies to honor Lee Hamilton and Richard Lugar, both of whom served as distinguished scholars and professors of practice at the institution. ^[2]

Academics

Programs

HLS offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate and graduate programs that integrate language proficiency, regional expertise, and policy analysis. Undergraduate offerings include majors such as International Studies, Cybersecurity and Global Policy, and International Law and Institutions. ^[7]

The school offers an MA and MS in International Studies and supports Language Flagship programs in Arabic, Mandarin, Turkish, and Russian. ^[1] In area studies, the school offers master's degrees in East Asian Studies and in its renowned program in Russian and East European Studies. The school also offers master's degrees in Near Eastern Languages and Cultures and in Central Eurasian Studies, as well as MA degrees focusing on Africa, Europe, Latin America, and other areas. ^[1]

In 2018, eleven of Hamilton Lugar's area studies centers and programs—the most of any school in the United States—were awarded an $18.8 million four-year grant under the Department of Education’s prestigious Title VI program. ^[1]

Departments

HLS encompasses four academic departments: ^[8]

• Department of Central Eurasian Studies
• Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures
• Department of International Studies
• Department of Middle Eastern Languages and Cultures

Additionally, the school houses numerous centers and programs focused on specific regions and thematic areas. ^[8]

Centers and Institutes

• African Studies Program
• Center for the Study of Global Change
• Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies
• Center for the Study of the Middle East
• East Asian Studies Center
• Institute for European Studies
• Institute for Korean Studies
• Inner Asian and Uralic National Resource Center
• Dhar India Studies Program
• Islamic Studies Program
• Polish Studies Center
• Robert F. Byrnes Russian and East European Institute
• Southeast Asian and ASEAN Studies
• Tobias Center for Innovation in International Development
• 21st Century Japan Politics and Society Initiative

Language programs and resource centers

• Language Workshop (home to the Indiana University Summer Language Workshop)
• Arabic Language Flagship
• Chinese Language Flagship
• Center for Languages of the Central Asian Region
• Global Indigenous Studies Network
• National African Language Resource Center

Leadership

Dean

Lee Feinstein served as the founding dean of HLS, bringing experience as the U.S. Ambassador to Poland and a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations.

In January 2022, Nick Cullather was named interim dean ^[9] after Feinstein announced he had accepted a new position in Washington as president of McLarty Associates.

In February 2024, John D. Ciorciari was named as the new dean, ^[10] a role he assumed in March 2024, continuing the school's mission to prepare students for leadership in global affairs. ^[2]

Executive Associate Dean

David Bosco has served as executive associate dean since August 2023. ^[11]

Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Education and Student Affairs

Isak Nti Asare has served as assistant dean for undergraduate education and student affairs since August 2023. ^[11]

Alumni

HLS alumni have pursued impactful careers across various sectors. Members of the Emerging Leaders Council include individuals such as Navjot Dhadwal, a lieutenant junior grade in the U.S. Navy; Asya Kislyuk, policy programs manager at Instagram; and Andrea Vega Yudico, associate producer at NHK. ^[12]

See also

• O'Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs

References

1. "Indiana University, Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies - Leaders in Graduate Education". Foreign Policy Guide. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
2. "Indiana University Bloomington | Foreign Affairs". www.foreignaffairs.com. 2024-08-15. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
3. "Lee Hamilton: For millions, Social Security is front and center". coastalcourier.com. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
4. Neely, Shameka. "IU Trustees Approve School Of International Studies". news-2012 - Indiana Public Media. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
5. Leonard, Mike. "Ceremony inaugurates IU\'s School of Global and International Studies". The Herald-Times. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
6. Carlton, Kat. "John Kerry to present talk at IU". The Herald-Times. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
7. "Indiana University, Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies - How Top Schools Invest In Student Success". Foreign Policy Guide. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
8. "Departments, Centers & Institutes: About: Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies: Indiana University Bloomington". Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies. Retrieved 2025-05-30.
9. "Nick Cullather named interim dean of IU's Hamilton Lugar School". news.iu.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
10. "Ciorciari named dean of Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies | Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy". fordschool.umich.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
11. "David Bosco Isak Nti Asare assume leadership roles at Hamilton Lugar School". news.iu.edu. Retrieved 2025-06-03.
12. "Hamilton Lugar School's new Emerging Leaders Council bridges gap between the student and alumni experience". news.iu.edu. Retrieved 2025-05-30.