Director’s Welcome
I cannot imagine a time when there was a more pressing need for effective diplomacy. With war in Iraq and Afghanistan, continuing concerns about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, turmoil in Africa, and dozens of frozen – and not so frozen – conflicts across the world, the time for diplomacy is now. Recent visits to the Middle East and South Asia reaffirmed to me that the only viable solutions to today’s myriad international challenges are political and economic, not military.
At the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce, we are helping prepare the next generation of leaders; students who will move into diplomacy, government, business, and civil society equipped with the knowledge and skills to help build a better world.
I’m delighted that you have come to our website and hope you will assess whether the Patterson School matches your personal needs and desires. Please also explore the websites of sister schools of international affairs – SAIS, Fletcher, Georgetown – as I believe this will help bring into sharp focus what is truly unique and special about our program.
While the Patterson School’s reputation is great, its size is not. We have deliberately kept our program small and select. Indeed, each year we bring in a class of only about 35 master’s degree students – a cohort we believe yields the best learning environment. This is not just an issue of faculty-to-student ratios. We have learned there are simply things that you can do with 35 students that you cannot do with 500.
The dynamic of our program is more familial than institutional, with the focus always on our students. We offer a variety of concentrations, joint degree programs (law, MBA) and for all a general exposure to international business. Our program is also an exceptional value. Tuition at the University of Kentucky is quite reasonable (with in-state tuition available to students from many Southern states) and the cost of living in Lexington low.
Thank you again for your interest in the Patterson School. I wish you every success as you prepare for an exciting career in international affairs, either as part of our family or elsewhere. Given the current demand for greater diplomacy, the world needs your help.
Carey Cavanaugh, Director
Ambassador (ret.)