Twelve Clemson students have been selected to explore global policy issues through the Honors College’s selective Dixon Global Policy Scholars program.
The program provides first- and second-year students from any major with the tools to change the world through a combination of public policy coursework and a transformative study abroad trip to Europe, all while applying academic theory to real-world issues.
The 2026 cohort represents a range of majors and academic interests, enriching discussions with diverse academic perspectives.
“Dixon Global Policy Scholars are among Clemson’s most academically engaged students, bringing an interdisciplinary lens to global issues,” said Jeff Fine, senior associate dean of the Honors College and director of the Dixon Global Policy Scholars Program. “The program gives them opportunities to learn from one another while applying their academic interests in real-world settings, and often becomes one of their most impactful Clemson experiences.”
Exploring Global Policy in Context
This year’s Global Policy Scholars took part in a Maymester abroad to Paris and Berlin this summer. While abroad, they visited key landmarks, met with academics and government officials and examined different international approaches to remembering past events.
Over the next two to three years, these students will explore global concepts in more detail through coursework and faculty-guided research focused on global policy issues, before developing their own policy proposals.
Graduates of the program often pursue advanced degrees that align with their policy interests. Alumni have earned several major fellowships and awards, including the Rhodes, Churchill, Goldwater, Truman and Fulbright scholarships.
The Dixon Global Policy Scholars program was established through an endowment from the Dixon family. Joseph E. Dixon ’39 and his wife, Carolyn, were dedicated members of the Clemson community and active supporters of their local community.
