This summer, Dr. Josiah Marineau will walk the streets of Tbilisi, Georgia, immersing himself in the country’s political and cultural landscape — not just as a scholar but as a storyteller for his students at UNC Pembroke. Armed with a prestigious fellowship through UNC Chapel Hill, Marineau is set to bring the world to his political science classroom in a way no textbook ever could.
“One of the things I love the most about teaching is sharing the bits and pieces I know about the world and what I’ve experienced with the students,” Marineau said. “It’s one thing to share what you’ve learned from a book –– it’s something else when you can give them a first-person perspective. It brings the experience to life for students.”
Marineau has been selected as the 2025 Minority-Serving Institution Fellow through the Center for Slavic, Eurasian and East European Studies and the Institute for Arts and Humanities at UNC Chapel Hill. The fellowship includes a stipend that he will use to conduct field research in Tbilisi, Georgia, in the summer of 2025. He will also deliver a public lecture at UNC-Chapel Hill about the findings of his field research.
He will build this experience into lectures, research projects and discussions on foreign policy, offering students a richer perspective on international relations. By bringing firsthand accounts into the classroom, Marineau will help students develop a deeper understanding of global affairs, equipping them with insights crucial for careers in diplomacy, international relations and policy analysis.
Marineau discovered his passion for global studies while growing up in Alaska.
“I’ve always been curious about the world beyond my immediate horizon,” he said. “I’ve always been curious about things I’ve read about but never had a chance to experience myself.”
As a high school senior, he had his first international travel experience on a mission trip to Aguascalientes, Mexico. In college, he conducted fieldwork in Tanzania, Burundi, Uganda, Malawi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in addition to field visits to the country of Georgia to interview Russians who fled their country following the onset of the Russo-Ukrainian war.
Dr. Richard Gay, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, said the funding for this latest program isn’t just about an academic pursuit — it’s an investment in UNCP’s students, enhances faculty expertise and reinforces UNC Pembroke’s commitment to global education.
“The insights gained from the trip will benefit students and faculty alike, strengthening the university’s role as a hub for international studies and cross-cultural learning,” Dr. Gay said. “Marineau’s experiences will bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring future graduates have the knowledge and perspective to thrive in an increasingly interconnected world.”
