Jagaar Halverson first traveled to Israel with Passages in June 2023 while serving as student body president at Grand Canyon University. Already a recognized campus leader, Jagaar arrived in Israel with curiosity and conviction — but experiencing the country firsthand profoundly shaped how he understood the region and his own future. Seeing the complexity of Israel up close, engaging with diverse voices, and walking through the land itself gave context that no classroom ever could.
He shared that the trip was deeply formative, influencing not only how he thinks about Israel, but the trajectory of his career. What he encountered during those ten days strengthened his desire to pursue deeper study and serious engagement with Middle East policy. When global tensions escalated just months later following the October 7 attacks, Jagaar didn’t feel distant from the events unfolding overseas. He felt personally connected to the people, places, and realities he had experienced firsthand.
After completing his undergraduate leadership at GCU, Jagaar spent a year working for a state representative in Arizona, gaining hands-on experience in public service and policy. That season sharpened his interest in how leadership, governance, and global affairs intersect. Today, he is pursuing a master’s degree in Middle East Policy at Pepperdine University in Washington, D.C., while also working with the Campus Victory Project. He and his wife have since relocated to D.C. as he completes his program and continues investing in his professional growth and calling.
But Jagaar’s commitment to Israel is not limited to the classroom. In the coming year, he plans to return to Israel three separate times — once through his academic program, once alongside a mentor from Arizona, and again through CUFI. These opportunities reflect his desire not simply to observe from a distance, but to wrestle seriously with the realities of the region and the ongoing impact of October 7.
Outspoken in his support for Israel and thoughtful in how he approaches complex issues, Jagaar embodies the kind of leader Passages seeks to cultivate — one who pairs conviction with humility, and advocacy with understanding. Whether in Arizona, Washington, D.C., or Jerusalem, his experience in Israel continues to shape his leadership, academic pursuits, and professional ambitions. Jagaar’s story is a reminder that a Passages trip is not simply a moment in time, but the beginning of a lifelong commitment to engagement, education, and standing with Israel.
