Elisabeth Fondren, Ph.D., an Associate Professor of Journalism in The Lesley H. and William L. Collins College of Professional Studies (CCPS) at St. John’s University, was recently invited to participate in the 2026 College and University Educators Workshop, hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR).
Dr. Fondren was selected to attend the prestigious CFR workshop, where she joined policy experts and faculty members from across the United States to explore global issues and enhance international relations teaching.
“I was fortunate to be nominated and selected to represent SJU,” Fondren said. “The CFR’s nonpartisan and high-quality educational materials on foreign affairs can help me bring global issues into the classroom and enhance my teaching and research on media-politics and propaganda history.”
The workshop, held February 19-20, 2026, in New York City, included agenda items such as a town hall and dinner discussion on The United States in Focus, expert briefings on the role of AI, discussion roundtables, and a collaborative simulation exercise, all aimed at fostering project-based learning. Dr. Fondren participated in a hypothetical discussion exercise on a potential ban of the social media platform TikTok and its implications.
“This semester I am teaching a class on media policy and global affairs, and I am already looking forward to sharing what I learned with my students, many of whom are very interested in the evolving global dynamics of information societies,” Fondren said.
“Another highlight for me was the open discussion and exchange among interdisciplinary faculty members who are focused on preparing students for globally connected careers.”
Founded in 1921, CFR is a nonpartisan, independent national membership organization, think tank, educator, and publisher, including Foreign Affairs. It generates policy-relevant ideas and analysis, convenes experts and policymakers, and promotes informed public discussion—all to have an impact on the most consequential issues facing the United States and the world.