KYLE DELBYCK

215 Benson Avenue, Mill Valley, CA. 94941 415-246-8512.

EDUCATION

Bachelor of Arts in History Degree Awarded 5/2009

Scripps College, Claremont CA 1/2006-5/2009

University of Chicago, Chicago, IL 9/2004-12/2004

Coursework includes: “Late Imperial Russian History,” “Race in American Politics,” “Modern Russian History,” “Civil Rights in the Modern Era,” “Politics and Economics of Korea,” “Work, Race and Gender in Los Angeles.”

Study Abroad with the School for International Training:

Peace and Conflict Ireland Program 9/2007-12/2007

Multiculturalism and Social Change South Africa Program 1/2008-5/2008

HONORS AND AWARDS

Watson Fellow8/2009-8/2010

  • The Thomas J. Watson Fellowship is a grant that enables graduating seniors to pursue a year of independent, purposeful exploration and travel outside of the United States, with the goal of enhancing their capacity for humane and effective participation in the world community. Each of the 40 fellows receives $28,000 to fund their travel and research.
  • My proposed project focuses on the manner in which historical memory manifests itself in post-conflict societies and examines theater’s role in shaping the ways in which populaces forget and remember: the process through which historical and political narratives are formed.

Davis Projects for Peace Awardee6/2009-7/2009

  • The Davis Peace Grant funds projects geared towards peace-making in conflict-stricken communities.
  • My project, “Breaking Barriers by Reducing Color Symbolism in Communities in Northern Ireland,” consisted of intensive workshops with youth from both Catholic and Protestant communities and explored the ways in which the re-conceptualization of color can be used as a tool of conflict resolution.
  • Through activities such as mural painting, flag drawing, symbol de-construction, and role playing, the workshops attempted to strip away color’s sectarian connotations and place notions of color within more neutral frameworks, providing youth, the key to Northern Ireland’s future, with a safe space within which to begin participating in conflict transformation.

Edward A. White Award in American Studies5/2009

  • This award is given annually to a Scripps College senior who has done outstanding work in the study of the United States and its history, culture or politics.
  • I was specifically honored for my senior thesis, “A New Frontier of Racial Discourse?: the Interplay between Hegemonic Racial Paradigms and Obama’s 2008 Presidential Campaign.” The thesis focused on the ways in which Obama has engaged the topic of race in his campaign speeches.

Honors Senior Thesis5/2009

  • As mentioned above, my thesis, “A New Frontier of Racial Discourse?”, focused on Obama’s campaign speeches. I received honors for my research, oral defense of my argument, and final written product.
  • I was also chosen to present my thesis on Capstone Day, an event honoring particularly insightful senior theses.

Graduated Magna Cum Laude5/2009

School for International Training Digital Collection2008

  • An online collection containing particularly excellent independent study projects (research and journalism pieces that center on a specific issue relevant to the host country) written by students who have participated in School for International Training study abroad programs.
  • Both of my independent study projects, “Competing Truths in Northern Ireland” and “Competing Truths in South Africa,” (which are described in more detail below) were chosen for the collection.

Deans List Scripps College 1/06-5/09

National Merit Commended Scholar 2004

AP Scholar with Honors 2004

RESEARCH AND WRITING EXPERIENCE

Research Intern, Center for Future Security Strategies, Hudson Institute. 6/08-8/08

  • Researched Moscow’s relations with its near abroad, ethnic conflicts in Russia’s sphere of influence (the Chechnya conflict, the Nagorno Karabakh conflict), the failures of Azerbaijan and Armenia in their post-Soviet transitions, and so on.
  • Wrote lengthy reports on the history and politics of Chechnya, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, focusing on how Russia, in its transition from the Soviet era, has managed conflict in these countries.

Competing Truths in South Africa, South Africa Independent Study Project 4/08-5/08

  • Researched conservative Afrikaner reactions to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.
  • In conducting this research, interviewed a wide range of people from the conservative Afrikaner community; Freedom Front party politicians, former soldiers, a former Chief of Police who testified before the TRC, a former head of the Broederbond, and so on.
  • Wrote a 70 page report that focused on how successful the commission was in dealing with those affiliated with the former government. The report also made recommendations as to how future truth commissions should approach “perpetrator” groups.

Competing Truths in Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Independent Study Project 11/2007-12/2007

  • Researched public response to the prospect of a truth commission in Northern Ireland.
  • In conducting this research, interviewed a wide range of people from Protestant and Catholic communities; former paramilitaries, policemen, community workers, religious figures, non-governmental organizations, victims groups, and so on.
  • Wrote an 80-page report on this research, utilizing the narratives of interviewees to examine the effectiveness of a truth commission in Northern Ireland.

Writing Intern, Professional Public Relations Asia, Hong Kong. 6/07-8/07

  • Researched product marketability and prominent issues in the Asian market.
  • Prepared detailed reports on such research for both internal use and company clientele.

Staff Writer, The Student Life, Claremont, CA1/07-6/07(TBC upon return from abroad)

  • Wrote articles for the weekly paper.
  • Conducted relevant background research for these pieces.
  • Gained computer skills in Microsoft programs such as Word. Excel, and Powerpoint.

NYU Journalism Program in London, UK 6/06-8/06

  • Researched historical and political issues in the United Kingdom.
  • Contacted and interviewed relevant people for these pieces
  • Wrote a particularly interesting article about security measures taken against Arab students in London

Writing Intern, The Magic Theatre, San Francisco, CA 2/05-6/05

  • Read literary submissions to the theatre
  • Prepared summaries, critiques and analyses of these submissions for the literary director