SIA creates Dennis Jett Scholarship, with catalytic gift from Dean Danielle M. Conway

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa.—The Penn State School of International Affairs (SIA) has established a scholarship to honor Ambassador Dennis Jett, one of SIA’s founding faculty members, who retired following the 2024-’25 academic year.

Penn State Dickinson Law and SIA Dean Danielle M. Conway recently made a catalytic $7,500 gift to the Dennis Jett School of International Affairs Scholarship, which will be awarded during the admissions process to promising students seeking careers in international diplomacy.

Conway saluted Ambassador Jett’s enduring impact on the school. “Ambassador Jett brought a scholarly professionalism to his role, as well as a necessary gravitas,” said Conway. “Our current landscape amplifies the fact that all politics are local, yet those local politics have global reach and impact. What our students learned at this institution of higher education from Ambassador Jett and his experiences filled their knowledge banks and advanced how they think about the many issues we are dealing with to attain a more peaceful and more sustainable future.”

She noted her strong desire to support SIA students becoming part of a vital global tapestry through their studies. “Students who choose this career path will be making the intentional connections to keep us all together in the exercise of humanity,” said Conway.

“Ambassador Jett had an enormous impact on the learning and career trajectories of many students during his time at SIA, where he remains engaged as Professor Emeritus,” said SIA Director Mitchell P. Smith. “It is fitting this named scholarship will honor his contributions, both to public service and to professional education in international affairs.”

A highly distinguished career

Ambassador Jett spent nearly three decades in foreign service. His appointments included serving as special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs at the National Security Council, as well as ambassador to Mozambique and to Peru. Additionally, he received the State Department’s Distinguished Honor Award, which recognized his “exceptional service, superb leadership, keen perception, and adroitness in the formulation and execution of U.S. foreign policy.”

During his stint in Mozambique from 1993 to 1996, he helped engineer the successful conclusion of one of the world’s largest peacekeeping operations, allowing the country to hold its first democratic elections.

He retired from the Department of State in 2000, when he entered higher education. He served as dean of the International Center at the University of Florida for eight years prior to joining SIA.

During his 17-year tenure, Ambassador Jett taught every SIA student who attended the school since its 2008 launch. His many achievements at SIA include earning a 2016 Fulbright Fellowship to teach and conduct research at Tel Aviv University, coordinating an annual crisis simulation exercise in collaboration with the U.S. Army War College, and receiving the Penn State Honorary Alumni Award for his significant impact on the University.

Ambassador Jett remains involved with and committed to SIA, as evidenced by his own generous contribution to the scholarship fund.

In addition, Scott Hillkirk ’11, the SIA Advisory Board chair, and Gregory Kruczek '09 also made gifts. Conway encourages others to support SIA. “Philanthropy for the School of International Affairs demonstrates the importance of this unit,” said Conway. “Ensuring that SIA can sustain itself is paramount, which means giving is not a luxury. Giving is a necessity.”

Gifts to the Dennis Jett School of International Affairs Scholarship can be made by clicking here.

‘I believe in the power and the promise of higher education’

Conway’s gift to the Dennis Jett School of International Affairs Scholarship continues her history of deep commitment to Penn State and Penn State Dickinson Law.

In 2020, she made a $125,000 gift to the Dickinson Law Future Fund and Penn State Student Care and Advocacy Emergency Fund to help students navigate financial difficulties during the pandemic.

“I made these contributions to the Law School and now to SIA because I believe in the power and the promise of higher education,” said Conway. “My hope is that demonstrating this belief through contribution will help people see how important higher education is to our future. To tackle the challenges at home and abroad, we need skilled leaders and professionals in the fields of law, international affairs, and diplomacy to promote democracy and to strengthen the rule of law through word and deed. These are essential core values at Penn State Dickinson Law and The Penn State School of International Affairs.”