the founding of schools of international affairs was urged by president dwight d. eisenhower during the height of the cold war. his initiative called together thirteen university presidents, including au's hurst robins anderson, encouraging them to create human-focused international affairs programs dedicated to preparing practitioners for foreign policy beyond the u.s.–soviet rivalry. in response, sis was founded with the mission to establish a school based on service to the global community. in 1958, the school admitted its first full-time class, replacing au's department of international relations. the class consisted of 85 students representing 36 countries.