Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab
Led by diplomatic and national security professionals, The Lab dedicates itself to learner-centered solutions and thought leadership through a global network of partners employing state of the art learning tools.
Led by Ambassadors and Military Leaders: The LDNS Lab Advantage
Explore the program that brings the real world into the classroom. At the Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab, you will learn directly from former ambassadors, senior military officers, and global security experts. Gain firsthand insight into international diplomacy, national defense, and strategic leadership—while building the skills and network to lead in a complex, interconnected world. This is more than education. This is preparation for purpose. Explore the LDNS Lab today and take the first step toward a career that matters.
Leadership Development Education and Training
ASU is committed to innovation, global transformation, international impact, and cultivating a global perspective among its students and university partners. Unique among the globe’s higher education institutions, the University is a powerful champion of preparing character-driven leaders committed to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons, in America and around the world.
Advancing Character-Driven Leadership
ASU is committed to innovation, global transformation, international impact, and cultivating a global perspective among its students and university partners. Unique among the globe’s higher education institutions, the University is a powerful champion of preparing character-driven leaders committed to do the right thing, in the right way, for the right reasons, in America and around the world.
True heroism is remarkably sober, very undramatic. It is not the urge to surpass all others at whatever cost, but the urge to serve others at whatever cost.
- Arthur Ashe
Ambassador-in-Residence
The ASU Ambassador-in-Residence provides international affairs support across the full range of ASU enterprises, starting and ending with our students. Ambassador Polt is available for monthly student career counseling sessions, teaches masterclasses in diplomatic skills and key foreign affairs subjects, and supports ASU global outreach initiatives. Request an online consultation with Ambassador Polt
Join Ambassador Michael C. Polt
For monthly office hours to discuss U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic and international affairs careers. All sessions will be between 1:00pm - 2:00pm AZ MST. Join Zoom Session: Password: 9999
Dates Available:
January 22, 2025 | February 26, 2025 | March 26, 2025 | April 23, 2025
ASU Washington Diplomatic Roundtable
The ASU Washington Diplomatic Roundtable, hosted by the University’s Ambassador-in-Residence, meets quarterly at the Barrett and O’Connor Center in Washington D.C. to engage the international and U.S. foreign affairs communities ASU’s global initiatives and programs designed to make a positive social, economic and cultural impact around the world.
Global Literacy Masterclasses
- Understanding America to Represent America
- The U.S. and the World
- Diplomacy First
- International Negotiations
- Migration, Borders, and Our Homeland
- Tariffs and Supply Chain
- Climate Change, Global Issues, and American Jobs
- Good Governance, Democracy, and Capitalism
- Diplomatic Risk Management
Want to change the world?
Master of Arts in International Affairs and Leadership
The Master of Arts in International Affairs and Leadership, an online degree offered by Arizona State University, empowers students to be future leaders in diplomacy, national security, and the global arena.
National Security
Under the leadership of Co-Founder, LDNS Lab and Professor of Practice, Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley and Professor of Practice Amb. David Scheffer, The Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab supports National Security priorities through the Flag Officer Advisory Council, Salute to Service events, cross-University partnerships, and its undergraduate and graduate programs.
Salute to Service Flag Officer Advisory Council Integrated Deterrence Series
American Diplomat Podcast
Arizona State University's American Diplomat – The Stories Behind The News podcast, co-hosted by Ambassador (ret.) Pete Romero and Ms. Laura Bennett have casual conversations with American diplomats about newsworthy events from around the world.
Our mission is to provide informative entertainment to the listening public from our nations’ diplomatic practitioners. The conversations with this elite cadre of career diplomats seek to give the listener a better understanding of the very human dimensions of those serving on the front lines of war, crises, and conflict around the world.