This winter quarter, 86 undergraduates completed the Jackson School’s Donald C. Hellmann Task Force Program, a capstone course that involved several weeks of research, writing, and group collaboration on a current global issue. The program concludes with a student-led evaluation day, where each Task Force presents their final report to an subject field expert.
Name: Nora VanRees
Expected to graduate in: Spring 2026
Degree: B.A. in International Studies and Law Societies and Justice with a minor in Latin America and Caribbean Studies
Task Force title: The Price of America First: Rebuilding U.S. Soft Power after Trump
Task Force instructor: Scott Radnitz
Hometown: Portland, Oregon
What has been your favorite Task Force experience? Did anything surprise you from when you first heard of the Task Force program versus the on-the-ground experience?
I was surprised by how much group work was involved in Task Force. Prior to Task Force, I had never been involved in such a large group project. But my favorite task force experience was working alongside my classmates. Our group started as strangers, but by the end of the quarter, we worked together as an effective team. Beyond that, I became friends with many of the wonderful people in my class.
What key skills do you think the Task Force program gives you?
As editor, I thoughtfully read each chapter in our group’s policy report. It was both rewarding and challenging to weave several unique writing styles into one, cohesive report. Through this process, I not only sharpened my editorial and analytical writing skills, but I learned more about how the ability to balance compassion and directness makes me an effective leader.
What career are you interested in pursuing after graduation? How did going through the Task Force program impact your career interests/prospects?
After graduation, I plan to pursue a career in human rights advocacy work. I want to become a lawyer to defend individuals and communities who experience human rights violations. I’m particularly interested in immigration or civil rights law. However, I have become increasingly interested in also pursuing public policy because of the task force program. Through Task Force, I’ve learned how public policy can be a powerful force for institutional change.
