The IR Program offers varying degrees of support to multiple student groups in order to supplement the IR experience and to provide students with various ways to develop their leadership skills.

DIRECTORS LEADERSHIP COUNCIL (DLC): The DLC serves as a liaison between the IR student body and the IR faculty and administration. Since its founding in 2005, it has influenced the IR curriculum reform, created an IR Honor Society chapter, assisted in rebuilding the Model United Nations club, and started a successful debate series. The council encourages the participation of all IR students in its projects, through which it seeks to create a closer IR community. For more information, please contact Oleg Svet.

IR MENTORS PROGRAM: Recognizing that peer advice could be a valuable complement to formal faculty advising, the IR Program collaborated with students in 2005 to create the IR mentors program, which provides new and prospective IR majors with a resource for questions about the IR major. Students are encouraged to contact the upperclass IR mentors directly with questions about major requirements, study abroad experiences, internship questions, etc. To contact an IR mentor, please visit the mentor page, and review the numerous IR mentor profiles. Pick someone who matches your interests and email them directly.

SIGMA IOTA RHO, Beta Chi Chapter: This nationally recognized IR Honor Society aims to promote and reward scholarship and service among students and practitioners of international studies and to foster integrity and creative performance in the conduct of world affairs. The goal of the IR Honor Society is to create a productive atmosphere of international relations on campus, in the community, and world at large through activities and initiatives related to international affairs.

Eligibility requirements include:
3.30 overall GPA
3.60 IR major GPA
completion of two advanced level courses
active leadership or interest in IR.

Members are chosen twice per year through an application process administered through the IR Program. Please contact Moira Todd, IR Program Administrator, for more information.

Fletcher Global Women Mentor Program: Fletcher students from the Global Women group mentor Tufts IR majors by helping mentees explore educational opportunities and define career goals. In the beginning of each academic year, mentors and mentees are paired according to regional, academic, or professional interests. If you would like to be matched with a Fletcher mentor, please complete this form by Monday, October 29, 2007 and email it to the IR Program Administrator, Moira Todd, or drop it off in Cabot 605.

Model United Nations: Reinvigorated in 2005, the Tufts Model United Nations Program is a student run organization that promotes international learning and debate through simulation. Tufts students attend conferences with students from other Colleges and Universities across the country and the world, meet on campus to discuss current controversial international topics, and support international events on campus such as UN Day. While attending conferences, students play the role of a delegate to the United Nations, representing a particular country and debating real world issues using United Nations procedures. By participating in these simulations, students are able to practice their public speaking and negotiation skills, apply knowledge and analyses acquired from their academic program, and learn more about relevant international topics. Model UN meets Wednesdays at 8:00pm in Mugar 200 (adjacent to the Cabot building). No past Model UN experience is required.

These leadership organizations join other student groups that have long contributed to the richness of the IR Program and Tufts. If a Tufts student organization is sponsoring an international affairs related event on campus, please contact the DLC for sponsorship assistance.