Leadership
Arclight Institute is led by a team of educators, international program leaders, and communications professionals who share a commitment to preparing emerging professionals and supporting established practitioners throughout their careers.
Together, they bring decades of experience in higher education, international affairs, student support, and organizational leadership—and a shared belief that the world’s most complex challenges require cooperation across disciplines, institutions, and national boundaries.
By bringing scholarship and professional practice into conversation, Arclight creates opportunities for participants at every career stage to learn from one another, strengthen their work, and contribute to more thoughtful solutions.
Dr. Andrew Armstrong founded the Arclight Institute to prepare students for leadership in an increasingly interconnected world. He believes international education should do more than broaden perspectives, it should help students discover new possibilities, build meaningful professional relationships, and develop the confidence to pursue careers that shape the future.
Armstrong holds a PhD in political science from George Mason University and has taught in the United States and internationally. He has collaborated with the U.S. Department of State on international education initiatives and served as a political contributor to Sweden’s national public radio.
Under his leadership, Arclight has developed an educational model that combines academic rigor with direct engagement with diplomats, policymakers, international organizations, and practitioners, giving students uncommon access to the people and institutions shaping global affairs.
Dr. Trevor Thrall is a nationally recognized scholar of international affairs whose research has shaped conversations on global security, foreign policy, and the role of information in international politics. His work has appeared widely in academic publications and public discourse, and he is a frequent contributor to discussions of contemporary international issues.
As chair of Arclight’s Advisory Board, Thrall provides strategic guidance on the Institute’s academic direction and long-term development. His leadership helps ensure that Arclight’s programs remain intellectually rigorous, professionally relevant, and closely connected to the evolving challenges of international affairs.
Ms. Beth Cauvel has spent her career supporting students in study abroad programs, ensuring their experiences abroad are both academically rigorous and personally transformative. With many years of experience in international education and program administration, she brings deep expertise in student support, operations management, and cross-cultural engagement.
Ms. Cauvel believes there is no substitute for the learning that comes from immersion in new places, cultures, and ideas. She is dedicated to enriching students’ education by broadening their perspectives and deepening their understanding of the world. At the Arclight Institute, she plays a central role in guiding operations and supporting students throughout their journey, recognizing the Institute’s unique opportunities for access to influential organizations and career-shaping experiences.
Amy Bartnick Blume brings more than 30 years of experience in international education, with expertise in student recruitment, institutional partnerships, and developing education abroad opportunities that connect students with the wider world.
Her own path into international education began with a semester studying abroad in Australia. With an undergraduate degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in public affairs, Blume understands firsthand how unexpected experiences can open new professional possibilities. Throughout her career, she has encouraged students and colleagues to explore unfamiliar opportunities and discover where their interests might lead.
Blume has worked with hundreds of students and institutions to develop education abroad programs that meet both academic and student needs. A dedicated mentor and lifelong learner who has traveled to more than 50 countries, she brings to Arclight a deep understanding of how international experiences can shape students’ education and their futures.
Bethany Hornbeck is a communications strategist, writer, and organizational leader with more than three decades of experience helping mission-driven organizations communicate complex ideas with clarity and purpose. As founder, president, and CEO of Apis Creative, she has led branding, communications, and strategic initiatives for universities, healthcare organizations, government agencies, research institutions, and nonprofit organizations.
Earlier in her career, Hornbeck led technical content development at the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Energy Technology Laboratory and served on the board of directors of the National Association of Government Communicators. She currently serves on the Joint Governing Board for the West Virginia Health Sciences and Technology Academy (HSTA), supporting educational opportunities for underserved students pursuing healthcare and other STEM careers.
At Arclight, Hornbeck helps shape the Institute’s brand, communications, and educational resources, translating the Institute’s vision into outreach that connects with students, professionals, university partners, and global audiences.
Professor Annalise Schmidt is a doctoral researcher at the Catholic University of Louvain in Belgium. Her research focuses on disinformation campaigns in Africa, BRICS development programming, and the European Union’s responses to emerging threats. With professional experience in both program development and classroom teaching, she brings academic depth and practical expertise to her work at the Institute.
Professor Schmidt is dedicated to helping undergraduate and graduate students discover new perspectives through education abroad. She believes international study broadens horizons and equips students to meet global challenges with knowledge and confidence. At the Arclight Institute, she helps shape programs that combine rigorous academics with life-changing experiences.