Raised in Kenya, South Africa and the UAE, this ASU grad is taking on global policy

Julia Döll doesn’t have a typical hometown. She was born in the Netherlands but spent much of her life in Kenya, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. It was, by all definitions, a multicultural upbringing — one that gave her an early awareness of how power and opportunity play out in different places.

“Having lived in different countries across Africa and the Middle East, I’ve seen firsthand how history and culture shape people’s lives, politics and economies,” she said.

That realization became the foundation of her academic path.

Drawn to Arizona State University for its top-tier online programs and commitment to social impact, Döll found a place that matched both her curiosity and values.

“I strongly align with the university’s commitment to ensuring that students not only thrive academically but also recognize their collective responsibility to improve their communities and the world,” she says.

Döll initially enrolled in ASU Online as a sociology major with a minor in political science. But as her understanding deepened, so did her drive to bridge disciplines — and eventually, she added a second major in political science.

“I realized early on that to fully understand politics — beyond policies and frameworks — I needed insight into the social forces behind them,” she explains. “Sociology helped me understand the drivers of human behavior and inequality, while political science gave me the structure to analyze institutions and decision-making.”

That dual perspective guided Döll through a range of research, internships and national fellowships. She served as a junior fellow in ASU’s Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab and conducted research with Associate Professor Nilda Flores-González on youth identity and belonging as part of the Arizona Youth Identity Project. She was also awarded the Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab scholarship.

Even as an online student, she stayed deeply engaged in the ASU community. She co-founded the Student History Association, served as a teaching assistant and built strong relationships with mentors across the university.

“I genuinely felt part of the ASU community,” she says. “The way the courses are structured — with active discussions, peer feedback and meaningful projects — made it easy to connect. I’ve had classmates from so many different places and backgrounds, and that diversity always brought something new to every class. It made learning incredibly dynamic.”

After graduation, Döll plans to begin a career in government relations or public-sector consulting with a focus on the defense industry and conflict resolution. She hopes to build expertise and professional experience before pursuing a master’s in public policy, with a specialization in governance and security.

We caught up with her to reflect on her outstanding academic journey and what’s next.

Question: What’s something you learned while at ASU — in the classroom or otherwise — that surprised you or changed your perspective?

Answer: During my time in D.C. for ASU LDNS Lab’s Policy Design Studio, I served as the senior defense official, defense attaché and law enforcement officer for the U.S. Embassy in New Delhi, India, part of a simulated Country Team Desk with six other students. Together, we developed an Integrated Country Strategy for India. What made the experience especially meaningful was the group itself. We came from completely different socioeconomic and life experience backgrounds, and yet we had to collaborate closely on complex, high-stakes topics. It was a powerful reminder that the best solutions come from diverse teams.

This experience completely shifted how I viewed diplomacy. Growing up internationally, I had visited plenty of embassies, but I had never really grasped how essential they are in shaping a country’s development and strengthening diplomatic ties. Being in Washington, D.C., during a presidential election year made it even more impactful. The pace of the city, the political energy, the real-time transition between administrations — all of it gave me a deeper understanding of how government works in practice. I had the chance to learn from retired ambassadors, engage with professionals at think tanks and even attended Kamala Harris’ last campaign speech. It was surreal and absolutely unforgettable.

Q: Shout out a professor who made a big impact on your journey — what did they teach you?

A: One was Lecturer Charles Ripley. His class on U.S. foreign policy and intrastate conflict was one of the most engaging I’ve taken, not only because of how he taught, but because of the insights he offered into how governments operate behind the scenes in complex conflict zones. That course really opened my eyes to the national security space, and it was one of the reasons I became interested in making that a focus for my future career.

Another was Ambassador Edward O’Donnell, a professor of practice in the School of Politics and Global Studies and co-founder of the LDNS Lab. I had the privilege of working with him as a junior fellow after receiving The College Dean’s Council Leadership, Diplomacy and National Security Lab scholarship. Under his mentorship, I came to understand diplomacy and foreign policy in a more nuanced, personal way — as something shaped by individual people, relationships and leadership styles. He later invited me to join the Policy Design Studio in Washington, D.C., taught by Ambassador Roderick Moore, who brought a wealth of lived experience from his diplomatic service in countries around the world.

And from the very beginning of my time at ASU, I’ve felt supported and encouraged by my academic advisor, Lisa Barth. She consistently believed in my goals, provided thoughtful guidance and helped me navigate each step of my academic journey.

Q: What’s the best piece of advice you’d give to those still in school?

A: My biggest piece of advice is to truly embrace your time as a student. Make the most of the opportunities ASU offers to grow your network, gain experience and connect with others. ASU is a huge university with incredible resources and connections, and being a Sun Devil can open so many doors if you take advantage of it.

This could mean attending career fairs, studying abroad, doing research with professors, or joining student clubs and organizations. These experiences not only help you build your resume but also make learning more enjoyable and meaningful. Plus, ASU provides scholarships and grants that make these opportunities more accessible than you might think. So, have fun, explore new things and say yes to experiences that challenge and excite you; it’ll make your time in school so much more rewarding!

Q: What’s one change you’d love to see in the world — and how would you use your degree to help make it happen?

A: In today’s world, where division and polarization seem to grow by the day, I think we need more empathy in the way we govern — and more intention in how we build trust between people and institutions. When systems ignore inequality or overlook lived experience, they lose legitimacy, erode accountability and deepen instability.

My degrees in sociology and political science helped me see how those disconnects form — and how power is often concentrated in ways that exclude the very people policies are meant to serve. I want to use that understanding to push for more transparent, accountable and inclusive approaches to governance, especially in international diplomacy and conflict resolution.

For me, it’s about helping systems work better — not just on paper, but in practice. That means working across borders, listening across differences and building long-term solutions rooted in both strategy and understanding.