MSFS Alumni Newsletter - Fall Semester 2023

MSFS LEADERSHIP WELCOME

Dear MSFS Alumni,

Students, alumni, and faculty continue to take on global challenges with purpose, passion, and understanding. As conflicts boil around the world, members of our community are responding. They are stepping up to learn from another, to manage tensions, and to reduce conflict for the betterment of all people. This is a critical time for the type of international affairs education that MSFS provides. We stand with all members of our MSFS community and are proud of their broad and multifaceted efforts to make the world a better place.

We have also found time to enjoy one another’s company. The camaraderie of our alumni picnics, the excitement of sharing ideas with guest speakers, and the intriguing debates on a wide range of educational and policy-focused activities continue to shine. The alumni notes below add yet another dimension to this by enabling others to share their recent experiences with all of us.

All of this suggests a simple truth. The MSFS community has a global reach while remaining a community centered on the Hill Top.

Hoya Saxa!

George Shambaugh

George Shambaugh MSFS Director

Ashley Lenihan

Ashley Lenihan MSFS Deputy Director

MSFS LEADERSHIP TEAM

George Shambaugh Director

Ashley Lenihan Deputy Director

Ryan Arey Director of Admissions

Rebecca Caro Director of Academic Affairs

Maggie Collins Asst. Director of Operations

Shantayanan Devarajan International Development Chair

Bali Khan Communications & Events

Paul Miller Global Politics & Security Co-Chair

Theresa Sabonis-Helf Science, Technology, & International Affairs Chair

David Wallis Global Business, Finance & Society Chair

Jodi Vittori Global Politics & Security Co-Chair

WELCOMING NEW MSFS ALUMNI

As another year goes by, we are excited to welcome the newest class of MSFS graduates to join our alumni community! This year ’ s Tropaia ceremony was held at the historic Gaston Hall on May 18th, where students of the class of 2023 walked across the stage to receive their stoles.

Elizabeth Wollan (MSFS ‘23) gave a rousing and heartfelt speech to her classmates about their experience at MSFS and the path ahead. Congresswoman Stephanie Murphy (MSFS’04) then delivered an inspirational keynote address to our graduates on the future of AI, and why their Georgetown education and humanity have provided all the crucial values and insight they will need to solve the global challenges ahead.

WELCOMING NEW MSFS ALUMNI

After the ceremony, graduates, faculty, family and friends retired to the Great Room in the Healy Family Center for a warm reception.

On May 20, the class of 2023 received their diplomas at the School of Foreign Service commencement ceremony, officially concluding their journey on the Hilltop.

Congratulations to the MSFS Class of 2023! We are excited to welcome you to join our big alumni family, and we cannot wait to see how you will use what you learned at MSFS to go out and change the world!

MSFS ALUMNI EVENTS

Did you know?

The Francis J. Heyden Observatory and Gardens at Georgetown University is the third oldest college observatory in the United States. It is one of two Georgetown buildings included in the National Register of Historic Places in the United States. Today, the observatory is used by the Georgetown University Astronomical Society as a place to promote the history, discussion and development of science, especially of astronomy and physics.

June MSFS Alumni Picnic

As part of Georgetown University’s alumni weekend celebrations, MSFS alumni and their family members gathered at Georgetown's renowned Francis J. Heyden Observatory on June 4 for a catered picnic.

Alumni from over 10 classes enjoyed the beautiful summer afternoon to catch up with their classmates and meet fellow MSFSers.

MSFS ALUMNI EVENTS

MSFS Alumni Evening in London, UK

On June 12, School of Foreign Service

Dean Dr. Joel Hellman, MSFS Director Dr. George Shambaugh and Deputy Director Dr. Ashley Lenihan traveled across the Atlantic to host a special cocktail reception at the Royal Automobile Club in London for MSFS alumni living in the region.

Drs. Hellman, Shambaugh and Lenihan shared many recent highlights from the MSFS program, including last year ' s Centennial Gala and the new STEM designation for the MSFS concentration in Science, Technology and International Affairs (STIA). Local alumni and friends of Georgetown University also shared their experiences after leaving the Hilltop, as well as activities that have taken place over the year.

On June 13, many participants from the previous night met again at Chatham House to hear Dr. Hellman and Dr. Linda Yueh’s debate on ‘Global Development in an Era of Great Power Competition.’ Their discussion was moderated by Dr. Leslie Vinjamuri, Director of the U.S. and Americas Program at Chatham House and who is also a former faculty member of the School of Foreign Service.

MSFS ALUMNI EVENTS

August MSFS Alumni BBQ

As MSFS welcomed the Class of 2025 cohort to the Hilltop, we also welcomed our alumni back to SFS to reconnect. The alumni BBQ in August was catered by the students of the Georgetown University Grilling Society (affectionately known as GUGS). While the get-together at the observatory was briefly interrupted by a torrential downpour, our steadfast and hearty alumni continued to enjoy good food, wine, and conversation after we decamped to the ICC gallery. We look forward to seeing everyone back on campus for another alumni event soon!

MSFS ALUMNI EVENTS

Class of 2003 Reunion in October

TheMSFSClassof2003organizedaweekend-longget-togetherfortheir20threunionin mid-October,andwewereexcitedtowelcomethembackto7thflooroftheICCbuildingas theykickedofftheirfestivities!NearlyhalftheMSFSclassof2003gatheredinWashington, D.C.,withalumscomingfromasfarasBeijingandBahrain,andasnearasWoodleyPark,to spendthreedaystogethercatchingup,sharingmemories,andcelebratingtheirindividualand collectivesuccess.

InmemoryoftheirdearfriendandfellowalumnaAngelinaMcIntire(MSFS‘03),theclass of 2003hasalsocreatedaTravelAwardinhername.AngelinalovedhertimeatMSFS, volunteeringtoreadapplicationsforfutureclassesandorganizingclassreunions.Fromtheday ofherdiagnosis,shecontinuedtoembracelifetothefullest,travelingeverywherefromSanta FetoItalytoAfrica.Shelovedeverypersonshemetandrelishednewexperiences. The AngelinaMcIntireTravelAwardwillallowcurrentandfutureMSFSstudentstotravelabroad forexperientialandextra-curricularlearningopportunities.

MSFS ALUMNI EVENTS

A Conversation with Elliot Hentov (MSFS ’01)

Elliot Hentov (MSFS '01), Head of Macro Policy Research at State Street Global Advisors, came back to the Hilltop in early September to talk to MSFS students about his outlook on current macro policy trends, engaging them in a lively and interactive discussion moderated by Dr. Ashley Lenihan. Elliot is responsible for research and thought leadership linking policy impulses to financial markets and economics, as well as serving as State Street Global Advisors’ chief geopolitical strategist. Elliot also kindly talked about his journey and experiences since MSFS, and offered students interested in the private sector advice and ideas on next steps in their own careers.

MSFS ALUMNI EVENTS

High School Students visit from Iceland

Frida Gylfadottir, the niece of MSFS Alumna and Centennial Award Winner Ragnheiður

Elín Árnadóttir (MSFS ’94), travelled to Washington, D.C. from Iceland with her high school students for a tour of the nation’s capital. We were delighted to be able to arrange a tour of the 7th Floor, MSFS, and the University for the students, who we hope will one day consider pursuing an MSFS degree! The tour was led by former MFSF Director, and all around Georgetown history and campus expert, Dr. Anthony Arend.

MEET THE NEW MSFS

2023 FUTURES SCHOLAR

SAURABH BHOYAR

Saurabh Bhoyar is the 2023 recipient of the MSFS Futures Scholarship, and is pursuing a concentration in Science, Technology and International Affairs (STIA). Originally from Chhattisgarh, India, he came to Georgetown to transition from working in the area of security and defense to making an impact in the development sector through social innovation. It is his passion to find ways for technology to be used to uplift marginalized communities in India and around the world.

After studying mechanical engineering, Saurabh first served as a technical officer with the Indian Navy where he sailed around the world fostering relationships with foreign navy officers, and later serving as their liaison officer.

After witnessing Singapore’s technologically advanced society, he decided to become more involved in innovation and to change how he wanted to make an impact in the world, seeking international opportunities. In 2019 he left the Navy to work with the World Youth Alliance in the Philippines, but during the COVID-19 pandemic came back to India to join the Indian Army as an innovation officer for AI and Robotics. Saurabh continued volunteering with the World Youth Alliance, opening a chapter in India that now has around 500 members. In the last two years he participated in the International Solidarity Forum on aid in Spain and the Tertio Millennio seminar on bioethics and human rights in Poland. Saurabh’s interests extend beyond technology, encompassing development and spirituality.

He currently holds a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from ITM University, Gwalior and a Master of Science in Marine Technology from Cochin University of Science and Technology.

MSFS STUDENT EVENTS

Pentagon Visit

On August 1, current MSFS students kicked off the school year with a visit to the Pentagon. Students were greeted by Melanie Fonder Kaye, Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Strategic Engagement, and heard from a panel of MSFS alumni about their careers at the Department of Defense after graduating from Georgetown University. Following the panel discussion, students were treated to a tour of the building, including the courtyard, the press room and the 9/11 memorial.

MSFS would like to extend a special thanks to Ms. Melanie Fonder Kaye, Ms. Fatima Salman (MSFS'18), Regional Director for Horn of Africa, OSD Policy, Ms. Jessica Kosmider (MSFS'19), Chief of Staff, OSD Public Affairs, Ms. Emma Borden (MSFS'19), Special Assistant to USD(P), Mr. Greg Pollock (MSFS’07), Principal Director and Senior Advisor, OSD, and Mr. Joe Michaels (MSFS'20), Space Policy Advisor, OSD Policy, for speaking with our students, and our two tour guides for the fantastic tour.

MSFS STUDENT EVENTS

Financial Fluency Sessions

Professor David Wallis (GBFS) runs a voluntary, not for credit, hour long lunch time session called Financial Fluency. It is simple, informal, mostly fun and available to all! The protocol is simple – an article, blog post, or short research piece is chosen and circulated, usually of a financial nature broadly defined. Attendees have to read the piece and come to the session primed to discuss. At the session there is a curated discussion with the combined objective of a focused pocket learning opportunity, plus a chance to increased fluency and confidence in speaking about financial items. It is a new language for many!

This semester the sessions discussed:

Orsted (a Danish Company) faces reckoning over its bet on U.S. Wind

The impact of China risks on the ARM IPO Labor vs Capital – battling for the spoils of productivity What Tennis can teach us about Risk and Reward Risk and Reward in Bonds

Everything you ’ ve never wanted not to know about the possibility of a U S Debt Crisis

MSFS STUDENT EVENTS

Frontlines of Freedom Series

The second Frontlines of Freedom Series event, on Student and Youth Activism, was held on October 20th. The event featured Joey Siu, a Hong Kong activist involved in the 2019 pro-democracy protests; Jhanise Daza, a Bolivian environmental activist; and Elizaveta Volkova, a student activist and pro- democracy leader from Russia.

With topics ranging from tactics to combat the global rise in authoritarianism to their personal struggles against dictatorships, the event fostered the idea that youth can take part, and even take charge, in affecting political change. Another event in this series, will feature Peter Biar Ajak a South Sudanese peace activist and former so-called “Lost Boy,” in November.

MSFS STUDENT EVENTS

Inclusionary International Development Series

The study of international development has been dominated by perspectives from the Global North (mainly the U.S. and Europe). Yet the people whose lives IDEV seeks to improve live in the Global South (Asia, Latin America, Africa, Middle East).

The Inclusionary International Development Series seeks to bring the perspectives of people in developing countries to the study of IDEV.

In light of the recent coup d’état in Niger, the first session of the year looked at the topic of resource extraction. Many people think that rich countries simply extract their minerals without helping these countries develop. Others say that minerals are an important source of revenue to governments they just need to use the revenues more productively. After watching a fiery speech by the former African Union ambassador to the U.S. about “exploitation of minerals”, the participants debated the issue of how resource-rich countries can develop.

The discussion was anchored by Alan Gelb, the author of Oil Windfalls: Blessing or Curse? The conversation focused on how to ensure that governments spend the money wisely. One way is to have governments transfer the money to citizens and then tax them to finance public spending, so that political leaders will be held accountable for their decisions. Recent developments in technology make such transfers feasible.

MSFS STUDENT EVENTS

9/12 CYBER CHALLENGE

Perhaps the most satisfying way to recruit an adjunct professor is to have one apply because they were so impressed with the students in your program. Such was the case for Alan Dinerman. After serving on judge panels for the Atlantic Council's international 9/12 Cyber Challenge, he was so taken with Georgetown's team that he asked if MSFS was hiring adjuncts in cyber security. Alan joined the ranks of adjunct faculty, and his enthusiasm for the 9/12 Cyber Challenge was contagious.

Even though he was not a judge this year, he advised two student teams who competed in New York in early October. Columbia's SPIA program hosted the challenge, which asks student teams to answer the question, "A major cyber attack has occurred. How should your country respond?" Both the MSFS-STIA team (Control-Alt-Delete on the left) and the combined CCT-MSFS team (the Cyber Hoyas on the right) made it into the semi-finals. Control-AltDelete tied for Fifth place overall, and the Cyber Hoyas won a “Best Decision Document” award.

Control-Alt-Delete

The Cyber Hoyas

Class of 1969

James McCarville (MSFS ‘69) volunteers with the Pittsburgh Working Group for Synodal Church.

Class of 1974

Gregg M. McManus (MSFS ‘74) and his wife, Jane now spend half of the year in New Hampshire and half at a house in Evansville, Indiana. After 25 years in energy related government affairs, 12 years of teaching history and world cultures at 2 universities in Evansville, Indiana, he is writing novels. The first is titled The Bug Light Room, dealing with two Americans who manage to destroy an alien spacecraft two weeks before a close Presidential election. The result is a realistic, sci-fi, political thriller. He is currently finishing up the sequel describing the effort that a secret U.S. agency undertakes to organize a "Manhattan Project" like enterprise to analyze and defeat the threatening alien presence. A third novel is a murder mystery at the Indiana General Assembly.

Class of 1975

Mushahid Hussain Sayed (MSFS ‘75) was elected Co-Chairman of International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP), headquartered in Seoul. ICAPP is biggest body of political parties of Asia, including ruling & opposition parties; At a recent Belt & Road Forum in Beijing on 18-19 October, he was honored with a First Silk Road Global News Award (alongside two other recipients).

Class of 1978

Doug Naquin (MSFS ‘78) retired from the CIA in 2012 after 33 years, including 10 years overseas. His last two positions were CIA's deputy CIO (1999- 2002) and director of FBIS/DNI Open Source Center (2002-2012). He has been working as a consultant (now part-time) since 2012.

Class of 1981

Jerry Parisella (MSFS ‘81) semi-retired on December 31, 2022.

Dr. Pat Pefley (MSFS ‘81) moved to the Republic of Korea in May 2023 as the J21 Chief, Joint Intelligence Operation Center-Korea, United States Forces Korea (USFK). The J21 enables the mission of the Directorate for Intelligence. As J21 Division Chief, he is accountable to lead four cross- functional USFK teams: Special Security Office, Foreign Disclosure Officer, Resource Management, Human Resources, and Administrative Support. They partner with USFK, Combined Forces Command, and United Nations Command to provide and integrate human capital capabilities with emerging technologies to enable their missions. They also design and deliver strategic communications operational plan to transition a diverse workforce into an agile, integrated performance-centered cadre.

Class of 1983

Class of 1984

Scott D Morse (MSFS ‘83) has enjoyed meeting more MSFS Alumni at events of the Global Leaders Assembly Foundation (GLAF) which was founded to help bring MSFS Alumni stakeholders together for dialogs on topics of mutual interest. GLAF recently met in Washington (during the Centennial) and in Vienna, on ‘Economic Sanctions on Russia and Sustainability and Prosperity: Can They Mutually Exist.‘

Steven Fisher (MSFS ‘84) retired from Citibank after a 35-year international career including assignments in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, Czech Republic, the UK, Russia, and Ukraine! In Ukraine, Steven participated in the 2014 Revolution of Dignity. After Citibank, he became a writer, focusing on Russia. His first book, “Into Russia’s Cauldron,” (2021 release), focuses on Russia during the revolutions of 1917. His new upcoming book, planned for release in first-second quarter 2024, addresses the failures of Vladimir Putin‘s leadership in Russia. He is currently based in Chicago, but makes it to Washington D.C. a few times every year and always make a point of seeing old MSFS colleagues.

Armand Bogaarts (MSFS '84), achieved Dean's List honors, marking the commencement of his dynamic career in entrepreneurship. Co-founding Eurofiber and LCL Data Centers, he established himself as a pioneer in Northern Europe's fiber infrastructure and Belgium's data center landscape. Currently residing in Southern Catalunya, he actively supports entrepreneurs and innovation. Armand is Chairman of the Global Leaders Assembly Foundation (GLAF).

An update from GLAF:

In 2019, in collaboration with MSFS Director Nancy McEldowney, Armand, alongside Scott Morse (MSFS ‘83), organized an MSFS Summit on "Reimagine Global Leadership," leading to the inception of the Global Leaders Assembly Foundation (GLAF). GLAF brings together leaders from key stakeholder groups around the world to lead meaningful conversations around the most critical issues of our time. Our dialogues and conversations occur both on the local level and globally, allowing local leaders to explore the local implications of global policies and provide local insights, perspectives and proposed solutions to inform global policy makers.

(www.globalleadersassembly.org)

Class of 1985

Susan Sternglass Noble (MSFS ‘85) is very pleased to have been appointed as a U.S.UK Fulbright Commissioner.

Andre Driessel (MSFS ‘85) has been working in Brasilia, Brazil, since July 2021, where he is posted as the Netherland’s Ambassador for the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He will be here until at least mid-2025.

Class of 1986

Jeffrey Grieco (MSFS ‘86) writes that on Wednesday, August 16th, 2023, the MSFS Class of 1986 held a Zoom reunion for the first time ever. Many thanks to Maria Pinto Carland (Member, MSFS Advisory Board) and Matt Doyle and Jeff Grieco for pulling together an updated list of MSFS '86 alums. They had about a dozen attendees and each alum provided an update on their professional and personal lives to the delight of all other alums. Matt Doyle promised to put together a Washington, D.C. Happy Hour for MSFS alums in the coming year. Also, they sadly updated MSFS '86 alums on the passing of several alums from our class over the years. They promised to do another Zoom Reunion again soon (maybe early 2024) and will try to bring in more alums from their great MSFS Class. If you are a MSFS '86 alum and would like them to update your contact information for upcoming events, please send an email update to MSFS '86 Alumni Ambassador: jeffreygrieco@aol.com. Thank you!

Class of 1990

Tito Farias (MSFS ‘90) is currently the Family Community Partnership Specialist for the Indiana & Oklahoma region of the East Coast Migrant Head Start Project, providing technical support regarding family services provided to Migrant & Seasonal Farmworker Families. He previously spent almost 20 years in international development.

Class of 1993

Mercedes Fitchett (MSFS ‘93) recently moved back to Arlington, VA from Utah for her latest position at the Dept of Defense with the Office of Strategic Capital. She is looking forward to reengaging with MSFS and her classmates!

Steven Pike (MSFS ‘93) retired from the Foreign Service in 2016 after 23 years. He is now teaching public diplomacy and public relations at the Newhouse School, Syracuse University, and was recently promoted to Associate Professor with tenure.

Steve Spahn (MSFS ‘93) sent this great picture!

Jorge Castro (MSFS ‘93) has been the director of Legal Affairs Division at the World Trade Organization, since July 2023.

Zia Yusuf (MSFS ‘93) has been in the SF Bay Area for many years - mostly in tech with stints in consulting and VC. She lives in Palo Alto and is married to Priti Doshi (2nd marriage). Between them they have two daughters (Saira and Sanam) and Priti has 2 sons (Vinay and Vijay). Would love to meet any classmates coming through the Bay Area

Gábor Csaba (MSFS 94) writes that after a 5-year stint at the Hungarian Embassy in Washington, D.C. (1997-2002), he served as Hungary's Ambassador to Australia also accredited to New Zealand (2007-2011) and as Hungary's Ambassador to the Republic of Korea also accredited to the DPRK (2013- 2018). Currently, he is Deputy State Secretary for Cultural Diplomacy at the Hungarian Ministry of Culture and Innovation.

Class of 1997

Charles Conconi (MSFS ‘94) is in Sri Lanka running projects for the EU, Swiss and USAID while creating The Pekoe Trail - a 300 km long walking trail through the hills of Sri Lanka, and also expanding Amba Estate, his organic farm and farmstay in the mountains that exports artisanal tea, coffee, and lemongrass. Come visit!

Dana Peterson (MSFS ‘97) is currently living in Singapore with her husband and two children and enjoying exploring the region. She is assisting various USAID grantees and contractors with foreign aid projects.

Class of 1998

Ronald Coleridge‘s (MSFS ‘98) son might attend Georgetown next year.

Michael J. Solberg (MSFS ‘98) retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2023.

Class of 1999

Carol Volk (MSFS ‘99) is currently serving as Economic Counselor at the U.S. Embassy to Morocco.

Class of 2000

Maria Caroll (MSFS ‘99) is the Co-Owner of "Llet Crua", one of Barcelona’s premier artisan cheese shops, offering a wide range of cheeses and a selection of complementary products.

Eric Bunselmeyer (MSFS ‘00) and his family are based in the Chicago area, their son is 3 now and doing well, he’s already following basketball, hopes to catch the Georgetown vs DePaul game this season, and travel so he can see more of the world.

Class of 2001

Darian Qureshi (MSFS ‘01) works for the National Park Service as a Park Guide in Arizona. He also teaches part-time at a community college.

Alexandra Pugachevsky (MSFS ‘01) recently published the first part of a trilogy, "Zoya", on amazon and will be releasing parts 2 and 3 on 12/12/23.

Jeanne Briggs (MSFS ‘01) recently started a new position as the Director for Democracy, Rights, and Governance at USAID/DRC in Kinshasa.

Class of 2004

Emile Hokayem (MSFS ‘04) has been appointed in 2023 Director of Regional Security at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, overseeing the regional analysis portfolio. The IISS is a truly global research organization, with offices in Singapore, Berlin, D.C. and Bahrain, and organizes the well-known Shangri La and Manama Dialogues. She is always happy to meet and help MSFS students and alumni interested in international security (from a non-U.S. perspective!).

Class of 2009

Tuqa Nusairat (MSFS ‘09) published an op-ed in the Boston Globe on ‘Three things Washington got wrong before the Hamas attack on Israel.’

Class of 2011

mie Madell (MSFS ‘11) lives in the San Francisco Bay Area th her two children, Jacques Michel Ishaq (5) and Nadeen haq (10). She has been acquiring, funding, and starting small mpanies and is leaving her business consulting position with ooz Allen Hamilton at the end of the year to focus on investing. mie still travels frequently and would love to see other alums ore often... you always have a place to stay in the Bay!

Class of 2012

Amr Moubarak (MSFS ‘12) recently accepted a new position as an Economist for the Office of International Affairs at the Dept of the Treasury. He currently advises Deputy and Assistant Secretaries on international finance and development issues covering the Middle East and North Africa region. Amr was at the World Bank for 10 years prior working on energy price reform, social mitigation, and the low-carbon transition investments. He also took some time off to visit Iceland and has tons of recommendations. His email is: amr.moubarak@gmail.com.

Class of 2013

Fernando Heredia (MSFS ‘13) is based in Mumbai as Consul General. He hopes to give more activity to alumni networks in the world.

Emily Cook (MSFS ‘13) was awarded a PhD in Management (Organization Studies) from the University of Edinburgh in July 2023.

Class of 2015

Cynthia Soliman (MSFS ‘15) is currently serving as the Acting Branch Chief of the Planning and Administration Branch in the Forced Labor Division at CBP's Office of Trade.

Class of 2016

Christina James and Mike Fox (MSFS ‘16) both joined the U.S. Foreign Service in 2020 and 2021 respectively. After finishing her first tour in Bamako, Mali, Christina is now posted to Embassy Paris. Mike is in his second year serving in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and will be at Embassy London in 2024. They’re looking forward to catching up with classmates all across Europe next year.

Class of 2018

Laura Schwartz (MSFS ‘18) moved from D.C. to Singapore in July 2023 to join Verisk Maplecroft as Senior Asia Analyst for Southeast Asia, ESG, and Geopolitics.

Class of 2019

Michael Battalia (MSFS ‘19) was recently awarded a 2023-24 Fulbright-Hays Doctoral Dissertation Research Abroad (DDRA) Fellowship to conduct fieldwork in Saudi

Arabia and Kuwait. The grant is awarded by the Fulbright Commission and funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The fieldwork will contribute to my PhD dissertation on the history of Saudi Arabia during the interwar period.

Melissa Toufanian (MSFS ‘19) started as Deputy Assistant Secretary for Strategy, Outreach, and Events at the Department of State.

Class of 2020

Miriam Frost (MSFS ‘20) was selected as a 2023-2024 Penn Kemble Forum on Democracy Fellow by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). The Forum convenes monthly roundtables bringing together Fellows with foreign policy experts and practitioners to explore the role of democracy and human rights within the context of a broad range of policy questions.

Class of 2021

Ryder Ashcraft (MSFS ‘21) writes that Lance and Ryder had their son Liam a few months after graduation and then moved to Bangor Washington where he became the Weapons Department Head on the USS SEAWOLF (SSN 21). Their first deployment ended in August and he will be deploying again to the Western Pacific in April. In their free time, they like to hang out with fellow MSFS ‘21 alum Duncan Moore and his family who just got stationed nearby at Joint Base Lewis Machord.

Class of 2022

Maxwell Kushnir (MSFS ‘22) celebrates his one year anniversary working with Low Income Countries at the IMF.

Class of 2023

Siwei Chu (MSFS ‘23) transferred from Barclays Greater China Legal Counsel to Senior Legal Counsel in Standard Chartered, handling greater China financial market cross-border transactions.

Carlos E. Chacon Cupello (MSFS ‘23) is working as a Presidential Management Fellow at the Office of the Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administrator. Carlos also got married in April, 2024!

Angela Chin (MSFS ‘23) writes that over the summer, she finished her Arabic language requirement and earned her degree in August. She then married her high school sweetheart and SSP’23 Alumnus, Hassan Almaala, on September 3, 2023. On October 20, 2023 she was sworn into the 170th- 216th Class of the U.S. Foreign Service. After 8 months of Mandarin language training, She’ll head to Guangzhou, China as a C l Offi

REST IN PEACE, JACK

Earlier this year, Georgetown University's mascot, Jack the Bulldog, passed away after a brief illness. MSFS joins the Georgetown community to mourn the passing of a dear friend, and sends our thoughts and prayers to Jack's crew as they took care of Jack on behalf of the community with their true passion and hard work. We look forward to meeting Jack’s successor!

CONNECT WITH US

As always, MSFS is dedicated to our alumni community. We will soon be launching our own MSFS Group on Hoya Gateway! In the meantime, be sure to follow us on social media, and join our official LinkedIn group to stay connected with your fellow alumni!

Georgetown University M.S. in Foreign Service Program (MSFS)

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Georgetown MSFS Alumni (official)

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For alumni-related inquiries, please email msfsdeputydirector@georgetown.edu

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