Student Profiles

Nearly 20 students from Australia and around the world have enrolled in the first in-take of US Studies. This is a record achievement considering this is the first time US Studies has been offered as a postgraduate course in Australia.

Our students are incredibly diverse and talented. They range in age from recent graduates to mature age students, with experience that includes teachers, lawyers, government and media, among other professions. Our students hail from Australia, the Americas, Europe and Asia, enriching each other with a wide range of perspectives on the US.

Meet several of our students:
Jessica Brown; Laura Crommelin; Matt Cross; Kelly Naylor

Jessica Brown
Jessica Brown, from O’Connell in rural NSW, has spent six years studying part-time for a double degree in Arts (majoring in History) and Science (majoring in Psychology). She is currently undertaking a Graduate Certificate in US Studies, for which she holds the Justice Benjamin Cardozo scholarship.

"The staff and Centre give access to an extraordinary range of professional connections which would otherwise be beyond the reach of students. All of these opportunities open doors to a future that I had never before considered possible.

I would like to put my US and History studies to good use by researching and consulting for television documentary and movie-making. I believe my studies here have significantly broadened my options for the future."

Laura Crommelin
Laura Crommelin worked for a number of years in competition and telecommunications law before deciding to move from Melbourne to join the Masters program. She holds a combined BA/LLB with a major in French. She is a recipient of a Susan B Anthony scholarship.

"I find the range of topics covered in the program fascinating – while learning about the US, I am also learning about disciplines that I never had a chance to study during my undergraduate degree (finance, foreign relations, cultural studies, history, psychology...the list goes on). In this way, as well as gaining expertise in issues affecting the US, I’m broadening my understanding of other nations, of Australia, and even of myself!

Another great aspect of the Masters program is the clever course structure and the close interaction between students and staff. I appreciate the flexibility and responsiveness of the academics involved in the program. They seem just as keen to learn from us as we are from them."

Matthew Cross
Matthew Cross has worked and studied legislative and electoral politics. He has previously worked for a Federal Government Minister and on a number of State and Federal campaigns, including the 2004 US presidential election in Washington DC. He holds a BA (Hons) from the University of Sydney. Matthew is pursuing a Master of US Studies and is a recipient of a Susan B Anthony scholarship.

"The US Studies program is the only academic program in Australia that focuses on the US in a detailed and analytical manner. The opportunity to meet and work with academics, business leaders and like-minded students is unique.

As a proud Australian citizen who has an interest in the US, it is great to study about the US looking at it from an Australasian and international point of view. Completing a Masters in US Studies will give me the confidence and skills to apply and undertake academic and business opportunities internationally."

Kelly Naylor
Kelly Naylor, from Brisbane Queensland, has worked in education and government for the past 12 years in Japan, Hong Kong, and Australia. She holds a BA in Political Science and Communication from The University of Queensland. Kelly is pursuing a Master of US Studies and is a recipient of the Rosa Parks scholarship.

"The US Studies program appealed to me as a unique program offering its students access to international and domestic political thinkers.

We have so far enjoyed the opportunity of meeting the American Ambassador to Australia; figures in former, and potential future, US administrations; key academics from prestigious US Colleges; as well as well-respected Australians from all spheres interested in the US."