Dear Princeton SPIA community,

The University held its 2025 Commencement exercises two weeks ago, and, as is tradition, the School celebrated its graduates at our master’s hooding and awards ceremony and undergraduate Class Day. In my remarks, I shared that my family had welcomed two new grandchildren over the last year – and I charged the graduates with safeguarding them and children the world over.

“As a mother and now grandmother, there’s nothing more humbling and touching than to look into the eyes of an innocent newborn and ask yourself, what type of life will they lead?” I said. “What type of world will they inherit? Will their rights as children be protected? Our news headlines today are replete with stories about the increasing numbers of children as victims of war, poverty, and displacement. In this country, 15% of children live in poverty. Children are being separated from their parents. And around the world, children are increasingly the victims of war. Whether at a musical festival in Israel, a school in Ukraine, or in displacement tents in Gaza, to cite but three recent examples, children have the right to live. Indeed, it is our obligation to protect these innocents. And my challenge to you is to use your Princeton SPIA education to be the generation that continues to defend and uphold our civilizational norms, grounded in humanity for all.”

Our challenges are many, but so are our opportunities. These newest pillars of service have been trained to meet this very moment, and I am confident they will do so with drive, commitment, and compassion. I can’t wait to see their contributions to the greater good.

Thanks and congratulations to the Class of 2025, and to those who have supported them. My thanks to everyone for a successful year, and best wishes for a restful summer.

Warm regards,

Amaney Jamal

Dean