SMPA Welcomes Two New Terker Distinguished Fellows

Marco A. Davis, a leader dedicated to developing the next generation of Latino leaders as the president and CEO of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI), and David E. Sanger, the White House and national security correspondent for the New York Times, are the 2024-2025 Terker Distinguished Fellows.

The program, run by the George Washington University's School of Media and Public Affairs, is designed to bring exceptional pioneers in media, political communication and public affairs to the university.

Davis said throughout his career, one responsibility he's always enjoyed is engaging with younger generations and helping them grow into new leaders. Davis said he looks forward to hearing from students about their aspirations for the future and their insights into current global challenges.

"Something that I've felt fortunate to be able to do is to share my perspective, to share my thoughts, to share the lessons I've learned and to help encourage, motivate, inspire younger generations," Davis said. "And that's been a hallmark throughout much of my career."

As the CEO of CHCI, much of Davis' work is aimed at advancing the nonprofit's mission of developing the next generation of Latino leaders. It's a cause for which he is passionate.

CHCI works to help students and young professionals develop core leadership competencies while encouraging them to explore leadership through the lens of their own identities, such as being Latino, a first-generation college graduate or an immigrant. The nonprofit aims to prepare participants not only for roles in government and public policy but also to become leaders across various sectors.

"I think there's a great need to develop leaders. And so, I'm excited to make whatever small contribution I can to help develop leaders among the students at GW," Davis said.

Sanger has worked at The New York Times for more than four decades and has seen the transformation from when the physical newspaper was the way to deliver news to the rise of digital journalism and multimedia reporting.

"The great thing about journalism is that it allows you to be endlessly curious about why the world is organized the way it is, how decisions are made, who's making them. The great thing about working at The New York Times is that people feel compelled to answer those questions," Sanger said. "I'm probably more passionate about it now, nearly 43 years into this than I was even when I started."

Sanger said he's looking forward to spending time on GW's campus and hearing students' perspectives on these fundamental questions.

"We're in the midst right now of what is clearly one of the most important and divisive elections in our history," Sanger said. "So, there's never a better time to be asking these questions."

As an expert in the intersection of national security, technology politics and superpower conflict, Sanger also hopes to engage with students on the geopolitical change that's underway in the world. He's recently written a book titled, "New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West."

The book, a New York Times best-seller, highlights how the United States has unexpectedly found itself in a new era of superpower conflict with Russia and China. The rapid shift, driven by events like Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the U.S. technological and military competition with China, has caught Americans off guard and is not yet fully reflected in public discussions, Sanger said.

He is excited to share his insights from covering global events and his passion for understanding the forces that shape our world through thoughtful discussions on GW's campus.

"I've spent a good deal of that time in Washington and along the way, come to know and respect the incredible faculty and scholars at GW," Sanger said. "And, I've been a particular admirer of Frank Sesno's program, which has brought so much interesting discussion of media. Thom Shanker's program on defense issues. So, it's exciting to have the opportunity to come by GW."