Robert Henderson writes a letter of recommendation for Akashni Pillay, a student in his class on 21st Century U.S. Foreign Policy. Akashni earned one of the higher scores in the demanding graduate-level course. Though she started slowly adjusting to the fast-paced discussions, Akashni's performance improved dramatically. Her classical education provided analytical advantages over other students in comparative policy critiques. Akashni's paper on securing Sudanese oil through regional integration was well-written, balanced, and had nuanced policy recommendations. Henderson was also impressed by Akashni's ability to analyze challenges in open debate and conduct original research, including interviews with senior officials in Washington D.C. and South Africa

1. Northern Virginia Community College
7630 Little River Turnpike
Annandale, Virginia 22033
(703) 323-3493
rhenderson@nvcc.edu
From the desk of: Robert E. Henderson
College Grants Writer
December 20, 2011
To Whom It May Concern:
This letter appraises Ms Akashni Pillay as a student in my class on 21st Century U.S. Foreign
Policy: the Dynamics of Change, taught at the Washington Center for Internships and Academic
Seminars during the Fall Semester of 2011. Akashni earned one of the higher scores awarded for
this demanding course. The pedagogy is that of a graduate writing seminar. Students are
expected to complete extensive, critical writing assignments from original sources and to write a
professional level policy paper on a contemporary international challenge.
Akashni’s work for the class was superior in all respects however, she was slow to start given the
demanding reading and the fast-paced discussion and debate format required for the honing of
critical analytical skills. Once she became accustomed to the pace and expectations of the class,
her performance improved dramatically.
Akashni’s classical schooling and developmental approach to the framing of national interests
was refreshing. Her academic background provided her analytical advantages over the other
students lacking the preparation for comparative policy critiques. Akashni’s paper on Securing
Sudanese Oil in the Wake of a New Resource Scramble: Quick Integration into the East African
Community (EAC) demonstrated that she grasped the regional and global importance of a frame-
work institution’s (EAC) for addressing and resolving issues between the economically linked
but politically divergent partners before those issues become contentious. The paper was well-
written, balanced, and her conclusions and policy recommendations were nuanced. I also was
strongly impressed by Akashni’s ability to analyze dynamic foreign policy challenges in open
class debate. She is considerate of others when they are poorly informed. She is persuasive
without becoming overbearing.
Finally, Akashni’s capacity for original research and her ability to gain interviews with senior
officials and policy experts in Washington, D.C. and in the Republic of South Africa were most
impressive. The requirements for the class include interviews with experts who will evaluate the
proposals or drafts of the student’s paper. Akashni wove these interviews into her policy
research. Moreover, Akashni established a professional relationship with these important
scholars and policy makers. She “checked back with the experts” as her ideas evolved. She wrote
a professional paper. It was a delight to have Akashni Pillay take this course. Please do not
hesitate to contact me should you have additional questions about this letter of appraisal.
Sincerely,