PATHWAYS Institute for Negotiation Education, a non-profit organization, leads the program with support from The Stevens Initiative. Partners include universities and colleges in the U.S.A. and teachers colleges in Israel. 

The Stevens Initiative expands global collaboration and career development through virtual exchange. Founded in 2015 in honor of Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens, it funds high-impact programs, shares insights, and advances virtual exchange adoption. Supported by the U.S. Department of State, the Aspen Institute, and global partners, the initiative provides participants with valuable international experience and practical skills for success in a competitive world.

The Game Changers program is open to undergraduate students and pre-service teachers enrolled at participating universities and colleges. Schools must be official partners for their students to enroll.

The program is currently covered by a grant from the Stevens Initiative. There is no cost to accepted partner institutions or students to participate. 

Participants will develop negotiation expertise based on Harvard’s problem-solving framework, acquire practical leadership skills, and connect with global peers. Graduates receive a certificate of completion and gain access to the Department of State’s International Exchange Alumni Network and the Localized international professional development platform. 

Partner institutions in the U.S. recruit cohorts of students to participate in the program, create incentives for student participation, and supervise their students’ participation. Each partner school assigns one point person to help coordinate the program and students’ involvement. 

Through the program, partners will be able to provide their students with a unique, interactive, and rewarding virtual learning experience.

Schools will be publicly recognized as partners of the Stevens Initiative and U.S. Department of State and gain visibility and access to additional exchange and networking opportunities.

We are currently seeking U.S. universities and colleges to join the program, with a focus on undergraduates in social sciences. Please complete the form below and we will be happy to discuss with you.

All MENA spots are currently filled for upcoming editions, but please contact us to express interest in participating in the future editions.

Each semester-long program includes:

• One week of independent preparation: Participants complete introductions and reflect on negotiation scenarios.
• Four interactive Zoom workshops (~75 minutes each, twice per week): Hands-on negotiation training and simulations with peers.
• A final reflection week: Participants record and share insights and practical applications of their learning.

The Game Changers program provides a structured curriculum combining interactive exercises, strategic role-playing, and practical negotiation training. Live sessions include hands-on simulations and discussions between participants from different universities.

• Asynchronous Opening: Participants introduce themselves through brief videos, offering insight into their backgrounds, interests, and academic experiences. They also reflect on real-world negotiation scenarios and key decision-making principles.
• Know Your Game: Participants engage in interactive exercises and a high-stakes role play to explore key choices in negotiation and understand how assumptions shape outcomes.
• Creative Negotiation: Using the Harvard Negotiation Project’s seven elements framework, participants experiment with negotiation strategies through structured role-playing activities.
• Constructive Communication: This session focuses on communication skills, exploring how to navigate different viewpoints, influence effectively, and engage in productive problem-solving.
• Looking Ahead: Participants discuss how to apply negotiation skills in their careers and communities, exchanging insights on leadership and strategic decision-making.
• Asynchronous Closing: Participants create a final video summarizing key takeaways from the program. Some institutions require a short reflection paper or a proposal for applying negotiation concepts in education, business, or other professional settings.

“Many of our students would love to travel abroad, but they are unable to afford it or fit it into their schedules. Game Changers has allowed our students to interact across cultures and gain negotiation skills virtually.” – Emily Spitzman, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Bridgewater State University

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“My students had an excellent experience in the program. The information about the course assignments, attendance, [and] participation was helpful to me as [an] instructor. Having this information enabled me to connect with students regularly about their progress in the course. By not having to track down assignments, I was able to spend additional time engaging with my students about the course material.” – Karen DeAngelis, Ph.D, Associate Professor, Fitchburg State University