Elliott School Student Recognized in National Security Writing Contest

Juliana Fleming, a congressional staffer and graduate student at the George Washington University, earned second place in Pathfinder, a national security writing contest launched this year by the Center for a New American Securityand Breaking Defense.The competition was created to elevate emerging voices in national security and provide students and early-career professionals with the opportunity to publish with a leading think tank and defense news outlet.

Fleming's essay, "Securing America's Grid Through Transformers and Workforce Resilience," examines the national security risks posed by vulnerabilities in the U.S. electric grid and offers bipartisan, actionable policy recommendations. Her analysis calls for building a reserve of large power transformers and strengthening the skilled workforce to improve grid resilience. Her approach reflects the contest's emphasis on bold, innovative solutions to complex security challenges.