PPOL 3295

Professor Gelsdorf is the best professor I have had at UVA. She is engaging and smart and really cares about her students. The work is manageable and none of it is busy work. She clearly assigns everything with a purpose in mind. I cannot recommend this class enough!

Professor Gelsdorf is exceptional. She makes all of our assignments and discussions interesting and relevant. Her lectures are diverse in format: simulations, FaceTime interviews, special guests, and debates. She is committed to helping students develop skills and knowledge not only for those interested in policy and humanitarian fields but to for life in general as well. She is respectful of student time and makes sure that there is something to take away from every class and assignment.

If I gave out superlatives to professors, "most likely to be in a secret society" would go to Professor Gelsdorf. And not because she’s secretive, but because she’s so fng amazing, I know the Zs & 7s would fight each other to have her in their ranks. Simply put, if you don’t take this class, you aren’t getting the most out of your tuition money. Aside from my parents, I don’t think a single human has expanded my view of the world more than Professor Gelsdorf has. I thoroughly enjoyed the intentionality with which she lectures, curates the readings, selects guest speakers & crafts assignments. If you’re looking for a class to be lazy in, this probably isn’t for you, but if you want to grow as an intellectual, as a global citizen, & as a human, IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT YOU TAKE THIS CLASS.

This class is what I fantasized college classes to be like. Professor Gelsdorf taught with so much enthusiasm and intentionality- nothing was on the syllabus that wasn't crucial to supplementing the course and they were almost always incredibly interesting readings and assignments. It is hands-down the best classroom experience I've ever had at UVA and I'm going into my fourth year. The information that I learned is something I will carry with me forever because it was taught so poignantly and urgently. She covered all of the important "nitty gritty" information about the different sectors of humanitarianism and the United Nations, while also covering topics like self-care, mindfulness, and radical listening- just as significant to learn about when going into such a chaotic and unpredictable field. The class even inspired me to consider the field of humanitarian aid as a professional endeavor! I also can't say enough good things about Professor Gelsdorf- she is one of the most brilliant, compassionate, and inspiring educators I've ever experienced. I'm so sad that she isn't teaching more classes!

Professor Gelsdorf is amazing! This is one of the few classes that I don't have any criticisms for. It literally exceeded every expectation I had and I am very grateful I had the opportunity to take the class with such an amazing and thoughtful professor. I truly hope that others will have the same experience as I did. Actually, my only criticism would be that her office hours are full usually and they're kinda short. But I guess that's a testament to her amazingness.

As a professor of practice, her extensive knowledge of the material is evident from the first day and the best thing is that since she isn't an academic by trade, I found her lectures to be unique and refreshing. Like seriously, this class is amazing. The material is very engaging, and the many speakers she brings throughout the semester are very interesting. She is very kind and easy to talk to too!

TAKE. THIS. CLASS. whether you're interested in humanitarian aid or not, you will love it. Professor Gelsdorf is interesting and her lectures are interactive. The assignments are difficult, but they connect with the material and are assignments you would actually do for a job (writing an op-ed, a situation report, news article, etc.).