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���������� and the Institute of World Politics Announce Partnership Geared Towards International Affairs Education

BELMONT, N.C. – (June 29, 2022) ���������� and the Institute of World Politics (IWP) announce a partnership in international affairs education. Earlier this week, the two parties signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will benefit students pursuing an education in international affairs and politics. The establishment of this new partnership pairs two institutes focused on giving students the skills necessary to succeed in the world of politics, statecraft, and national security affairs. 

The partnership will provide Belmont Abbey students an exceptional next step towards a career in international affairs. Dr. David Williams, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs at Belmont Abbey, believes this new opportunity further enhances the mission of the Abbey. Our mission hopes for our students to be ‘a blessing for themselves and others,’ and those called to careers in international affairs will find that developing their skills at IWP will build on what they’ve received at BAC in a host of ways,” he says.

Once accepted into IWP’s onsite M.A. program, ten Belmont Abbey students will receive a $2,200 scholarship each semester and are eligible for additional IWP merit-based scholarships and tuition discounts. Additionally, students from Belmont Abbey will receive early acceptance assurance into the online M.A. program and priority consideration for IWP’s internship program, with the opportunity to visit the Institute prior on a yearly basis. In turn, Belmont Abbey will share IWP’s mission with students and raise awareness of IWP’s programs on campus.

This agreement is equally beneficial to IWP as they seek to find students with strong foundations of ethics and morality. “IWP and Belmont have a mutual commitment to the defense of truth, justice, and the Western moral tradition, and our efforts are greatly strengthened by our new partnership, ” says Mr. Tim Stebbins, IWP Vice President of Graduate Recruitment. “This endeavor will streamline our central mission of educating the next generation of leadership in intelligence, diplomacy, and national security. We very much look forward to welcoming Belmont Abbey alumni through our doors and watching them embark on fascinating careers.”

About ����������: Founded in 1876, ���������� is a private, Catholic baccalaureate and liberal arts institution. Our mission is to educate students in the liberal arts and sciences so that in all things God may be glorified. Guided by the Catholic intellectual tradition and the Benedictine spirit of prayer and learning, we welcome a diverse body of students and provide them with an education that will enable them to lead lives of integrity, to succeed professionally, to become responsible citizens, and to be a blessing to themselves and others. Our beautiful and historic campus is conveniently located just 10 miles west of Charlotte, N.C., and currently serves over 1500 students both onsite and online. For more information, visit /.

About the Institute of World Politics: Based in Washington D.C., the Institute of World Politics is a graduate school of national security, intelligence, and international affairs, dedicated to developing leaders with a sound understanding of international realities and the ethical conduct of statecraft, based on knowledge and appreciation of the founding principles of the American political economy and the Western moral tradition.

“The Abbey prepared us for this,” said Taylor McEachern, Belmont Abbey Class of 2020. “This” refers to graduating from college in the midst of a global pandemic, getting married to his fiancée and fellow Abbey alum Emma Wolff, finding out they are going to be parents, and starting their own business – all in one year. Taylor majored in Marketing and played Baseball at Belmont Abbey. Upon graduating in 2020, he found himself practically homeless and jobless, with a fiancée. Not sure where to turn, he started working with Emma’s father and then landed a job with the U.S. Department of Defense, working in supply technology for mission-critical needs. After a stressful period, it seemed that their circumstances were turning around. Shortly thereafter, they found out Emma was pregnant and the baby would arrive December of 2020. “Finding out Emma was pregnant really made me stop and think. Being a first-time parent was scary, but it caused me to really think about the kind of life I wanted for my family,” said Taylor. 

Taylor is not a stranger to hard work and entrepreneurship. While in college at the Abbey, he started a Marketing company that specifically served businesses in downtown Belmont. When he found his life changing in the latter half of 2020, he reached back to his entrepreneurial roots and founded American Exteriors, a commercial and residential exterior cleaning company. Taylor’s vision is to become a trusted partner to hard-working people, making their homes and businesses cleaner and their lives a little easier. To make this happen Taylor worked 15-hour days, keeping his day job with the U.S. Department of Defense and pouring his nights into American Exteriors. He purchased the equipment, hired employees, and invested in marketing, but the next three months were challenging. “I paid my employees but business was slow, so my income was non-existent. We relied on credit cards and I sold an appreciated vehicle. I was committed to seeing this through, but we went three months without a single phone call,” he said. In April of 2021, American Exteriors secured a substantial contract with a local string of gas stations that changed the game. “They gave us a shot and recommended us to other businesses. We saw things take off and today, we have 186 recurring clients. We are booked out three months at a time,” said Taylor. 

It has been a long road, but Taylor and Emma believe that their efforts now are an investment in their future freedom. “We want to be able to spend time with Miles without feeling tied down,” Taylor said. The couple also feels that they are setting a valuable example for their son, by demonstrating the importance of a steady work ethic. “Our time at the Abbey taught us to trust God and His plan for our path. Our professors really encouraged us to put ourselves there and make connections with the community. It was so refreshing to be in a place where our ideas were valued,” said Emma. As students, Taylor and Emma were heavily involved in the Benedictine Leadership Institute, Benedictine Volunteer Corps, and the Rotary club. Participation in these organizations helped them both feel comfortable talking to people and sharing their ideas. Taylor recognizes this as an important foundation of the Sales business. “Sales can be tough. To be successful it’s important to find your voice, learn how to be told no, and find the right people to work with,” he said. It is this determination that Taylor and Emma hope to pass on to their son, Miles. “We want him to understand the value of hard work and be grateful for the opportunities at hand. We want him to know how to work with hands, but also how to be a leader and work with people,” the couple shared. 

Although American Exteriors is booming, the couple has not stopped dreaming. Taylor is working on his Contractor’s license and Emma is pursuing her Real Estate license, with the hope of eventually incorporating a moving and relocation support into American Exteriors services. Miles is nearing toddlerhood, Taylor is still enjoying his 9-to-5 job and American Exteriors is thriving. When asked about his reflections on those tough two years Taylor shared, “It was the biggest blessing. Having a baby transitioned us into thinking differently.” No matter what the future holds, Taylor and Emma will look to their faith and their tireless hard work to create a good life for themselves and others. 

For more information on services offered by American Exteriors, visit or call 704-964-2592. First time customers receive 15% off and estimates are free of charge!