Community and Events
DC Campus students mingle at a school social event.
Photo by Chad Williamson/RAND School
At the RAND School, student life is centered on intellectual exchange, collaboration, and engagement with the policy community.
Because the school is deeply connected to the broader RAND research environment, students have unique opportunities to interact with faculty, researchers, and visiting leaders from government, international organizations, and industry. These connections create a vibrant learning community where ideas move seamlessly from the classroom to real-world policy discussions.
Policy Events and Guest Speakers
Throughout the year, the RAND School hosts dynamic talks, discussions, and special events featuring leading policymakers, scholars, and practitioners. Guests and speakers include senior government officials, ambassadors, cabinet-level leaders, and international policymakers who visit RAND to discuss pressing policy challenges with students and researchers.
Recent events include conversations with
- Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel
- Bestselling Author and Physicist Elizabeth Heider
- Ambassador Sarah-Ann Lynch
- Former South Korean President Moon Jae-In.
Students also receive a curated weekly digest of events happening across RAND and in the broader policy community in Santa Monica, Washington, D.C., and online—ensuring they never miss an opportunity to connect and learn.
Student-Run International Development Speaker Series
In addition to school-run events, graduate students at the RAND School oversee the the International Development Speaker Series (IDSS), which brings practitioners and scholars working in global development to speak with RAND School students. These conversations offer opportunities to engage directly with experts working on issues such as economic development, governance, humanitarian assistance, and global policy challenges.
Community Gatherings
The RAND School fosters a strong sense of community through gatherings that bring together students, faculty, and staff across the school. The Dean also hosts quarterly meetings where she shares news and updates about the school, celebrates recent accomplishments, and discusses upcoming initiatives. These sessions also provide an opportunity for students to ask questions and share feedback with school leadership.
Social events and happy hours further strengthen connections across cohorts and research areas—creating opportunities for conversation outside the classroom.
Dean’s Student Advisory Board
The Dean’s Student Advisory Board gives students a voice to share feedback and perspectives directly with the RAND School leadership. Board members meet regularly with the Dean to discuss the student experience, academic programming, and community initiatives. It’s one of the many ways students help guide the school’s direction and strengthen its collaborative culture.