KENNESAW, Ga. | Sep 24, 2025

Kennesaw State University Honors student Gvantsa Kiknavelidze was recently awarded the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung USA & Canada – Atlantic Pioneers Program (APP) competitive fellowship. Coordinated by FES USA and Canada, this new program brings together leaders dedicated to strengthening ties between the U.S., Canada, and Europe.  
 
Double majoring in International Relations and Modern Languages and Cultures with minors in Political Science and German, Kiknavelidze was thrilled to learn she had been accepted into the program. “Being selected for the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung feels like a dream come true and like a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” Kiknavelidze says. “This fellowship gives me the chance to engage directly with top-level leaders from Germany, the EU, and the U.S., including cabinet ministers, members of parliament, senior diplomats, congressmen and policy experts.”  

Kiknavelidze was nominated by Dr. Shane Peterson, Associate Professor of German and instructor of HON 3497, a course where students apply for competitive fellowships and scholarships. After submitting her application, Kiknavelidze completed a 45-minute interview in both German and English. 

“Gvantsa really embodies the entrepreneurial mindset that is so central to an Honors education at KSU,” Peterson says. “She’s been highly engaged in the classroom and has also intentionally sought out opportunities to study abroad, conduct research, and get involved in the campus community. She’s even finishing her degrees in just 3 years.” 

The Halle Foundation—a long-time sponsor of KSU’s German Studies program—has allowed her to turn her passions into life-changing opportunities. “Thanks to the foundation and Dr. Smith’s guidance, I had the chance to conduct two paid research projects and participate in two funded study abroad trips to Germany,” said Kiknavelidze.  
 
Under the mentorship of Dr. Sabine Smith and Jennifer Hoosier, she conducted a study on how short-term international programs, specifically a six-week intensive English program for 17 German adult learners (Azubis), impact learners’ ability to navigate different cultural contexts. She’s presented her research at the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR), KSU’s Symposium of Student Scholars, and the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) Summit. Her findings are now being prepared for publication in German in the Kennesaw Tower Journal.  
 
She has also developed a workshop titled “Enhancing Leadership in Higher Education.” After completing multiple leadership trainings through the Department of Student Leadership and other campus programs, she created and led a workshop twice to measure leadership growth among German and American students separately.  
 
For Kiknavelidze, this program means much more than travel: “It’s a chance to deepen my understanding of transatlantic relations, diplomacy, and Germany’s evolving political system by learning from the very people shaping policy at the highest levels,” she says. 
 
 “Gvantsa’s story exemplifies the goals we have for all students in the Honors College: to uncover their passions and pursue transformative experiences that allow them to make meaningful contributions to the world,” said Jamie Elliott, Associate Dean of the KSU Journey Honors College. “We are immensely proud of Gvantsa’s accomplishments and hope her success will inspire fellow students to pursue prestigious awards with confidence. The faculty in the Honors College and the Office of Prestigious Undergraduate Awards are here to support students in this journey.” 
 
Beyond this fellowship, she looks forward to attending the Harvard German American Conference this November as a nominee from KSU’s Department of World Languages and Cultures. She’ll be completing her undergrad career in May 2026, with goals of pursuing a career in law or diplomacy and becoming an international or corporate lawyer or an ambassador. 

 
“I’m deeply grateful for Dr. Smith and Dr. Peterson, my professors in International Relations and other departments, along with the Halle Foundation and the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung, for opening these doors for me," said Kiknavelidze. “These opportunities allow me to bridge my academic passions with my long-term career aspirations.” 
 
Students interested in pursuing external award opportunities in study abroad and research should contact the Office of Prestigious Undergraduate Awards.