Summary
This profile, originally featured by CMU Dietrich College in February 2026, highlights the academic journey of Evans Toviave. A transfer student who moved from journalism in Atlanta to political science at Carnegie Mellon, Toviave made the most of CMU’s global network to study at the Qatar campus and participate in the Washington Semester Program.
This story was originally published by CMU Dietrich College’s The Garden: Volume Twelve, February 2026.
By Amanawit Assefa
Evans Toviave’s journey to Carnegie Mellon University is defined by curiosity and a willingness to step into the unfamiliar.
Evans Toviave’s journey to Carnegie Mellon University is defined by curiosity and a willingness to step into the unfamiliar. Raised in Northeast Georgia and initially enrolled at a university in Atlanta, Evans began his college career studying journalism. While those early years were formative, he soon realized he was searching for something more — greater academic rigor, broader perspectives and a path that aligned more closely with his evolving interests in international relations and global politics.
That search ultimately led him to Carnegie Mellon.
“I wanted to take what I had learned in Atlanta and bring it into a new environment,” Evans said. “I also wanted to expand my worldview.” Without a single destination in mind, he applied to transfer schools across the country. CMU stood out not only for its strong political science and international relations offerings, but for its distinctive technical and analytical approach to those fields.
At CMU, Evans threw himself into the opportunities the university provides. He became a fixture at CMU’s Washington Semester Program (WSP) and sought out experiences that bridged the gap between theory and practice. One of the most significant chapters of his time at CMU was studying at the university’s campus in Doha, Qatar.
“Studying at CMU-Q was a turning point,” he reflected. “It wasn’t just about the classes; it was about living in a region that is so central to global politics and seeing how the concepts I was studying in Pittsburgh played out in a completely different context.”
The experience in Qatar, coupled with his time in Washington, D.C., helped Evans refine his career goals. He began to see his path not as a choice between communication and policy, but as an integration of the two. His work became increasingly focused on how information is shared across borders and how international cooperation can be fostered through better communication and mutual understanding.
His time at CMU also deepened his commitment to community engagement. He served as a student leader, helping other transfer students navigate the transition to CMU, and remained active in various campus organizations. For Evans, being part of the Dietrich College community meant more than just academic success; it meant contributing to a culture where diverse perspectives are valued and cross-cultural dialogue is encouraged.
“The Dietrich College community is incredibly supportive,” he said. “I felt like I had the space to explore my interests and the resources to pursue them, even when they took me halfway across the world.”
Throughout his undergraduate career, Evans demonstrated a unique ability to bridge different worlds. Whether he was discussing policy in a classroom in Pittsburgh or navigating the cultural nuances of life in Doha, he approached every situation with the same open-mindedness and intellectual rigor. He learned that while the world is complex and often divided, there is immense value in the effort to understand perspectives other than one’s own.
Reflecting on his time at CMU, Evans emphasizes personal growth as much as academic development. Exposure to new cultures and perspectives pushed him to become more intentional, culturally aware and grounded in how he engages with others.
When asked what advice he would give to Dietrich students considering global programs like IMPAQT or studying at CMU-Q, his response is unequivocal: “Do it. Absolutely, 1,000 percent do it.” While the idea of leaving home can be intimidating, he believes these experiences are among the most rewarding CMU has to offer.
Looking ahead, Evans hopes to work abroad for several years before potentially pursuing graduate or law school. He credits CMU with giving him not just ambition, but the confidence and tools to engage with the world meaningfully.
If he were to be remembered for one thing at CMU, Evans hopes it would be this: that he fully embraced opportunities and helped others see their own potential. “The CMU experience isn’t just about the classroom,” he said. “It’s about engaging with the world and applying what you learn.”
He sums up his CMU journey simply, yet powerfully: “My experience at Carnegie Mellon has been about learning how to move between disciplines and cultures and using that knowledge to do work that is thoughtful, practical and people-centered.”
