University of Wisconsin–Madison senior Mary Moczulewski will join the first class of recipients for the Iris Burton Bulls ROTC Fellowship Program for her work with Project Global Officer (GO). Sponsored by the Defense Language and National Security Education Office, Project GO, aims to improve language and intercultural skills for future military officers.
Following the completion of Project GO, Boren, or Language Flagship programs, approximately 5–6 ROTC participants will be selected annually for the fellowship. Recipients will travel to Washington D.C. for a one-day national security seminar at George Washington University, followed by a day of professional mentoring meetings with Department of Defense senior leadership and language authorities. After the seminars and mentorship meetings, awardees will become mentors for future recipients. “It will be really helpful to take our unified knowledge and spread it out through service,” Moczulewski said.
Mary became involved with Project GO when she applied for and participated in a Russian Domestic Program, chosen for her interest in the rich culture and history. After completing her that program, and working as a Russian tutor with the UW–Madison Project GO program, she had a desire to continue her studies with the language. She is currently in Kazakhstan participating in the Russian Flagship Program. Along with her Russian studies, she has also learned basic Kazakh while living with her host family.
“Mary’s exceptional mentorship of incoming language learners and outstanding contributions to our Project GO programming, promotion, and language resources make her the most deserving candidate for this fellowship,” said the UW Project GO team.
In order to complete her study aboard for the Language Flagship Program, Mary deferred her graduation, but she will finish her program in May and graduate with degrees in Russian and economics. Beginning in June she will commission as a second lieutenant in the United States Air Force.