Where are you from and what were you doing before enrolling in graduate school?

I am from the suburbs of Chicago and went to Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minnesota where I primarily focused on U.S. and local politics and community organizing. Before coming to USC I lived in Baltimore, Maryland where I worked as an undergraduate admission officer at Johns Hopkins University. A major part of my role focused on working with international students and our international admissions strategy.

How did you learn of the degree program and why did you choose USC Annenberg?

As an admissions officer who recruited internationally, I often partnered with EducationUSA, which is the U.S. Department of State’s network of international student advising centers in more than 170 countries. Out of personal curiosity, I began researching how EducationUSA’s work along with other facets of international education intersected with foreign policy and international relations. I quickly came across both the term ‘public diplomacy’ and USC’s Center for Public Diplomacy, which of course led me to the master’s program. I chose the MPD program because it is incredibly unique in its offerings and interdisciplinary in its focus which would allow me to bring together my interests in policy, international education, and community engagement. Also, after a lifetime of winters, I was very intrigued by L.A.’s year-round warm weather!

What have you enjoyed the most about the degree program?

Even while researching public diplomacy and applying to the MPD program I didn't fully understand how well it encapsulated my many interests and experiences until I began taking classes. I’ve really enjoyed how the professors and the courses allow you to explore the aspects of public diplomacy that are most interesting to you, while also showcasing the breadth and depth of what public diplomacy can be. It has been a lot of fun to draw on courses from undergrad like political psychology, a community-based theater course, and even a geology course on dinosaurs, that I never expected to be relevant. My public diplomacy courses have helped me understand my professional experiences within a broader context as well as practice how to apply public diplomacy in practical, real-world ways.

I also really appreciate the opportunities to connect and learn from a wide variety of public diplomacy professionals through class guest speakers, Center for Public Diplomacy events, alumni panels hosted by USC's Society of Public Diplomats, and the ability to connect with visiting scholars and practitioners like the Center for Public Diplomacy’s U.S. Public Diplomat in Residence and the Canada-U.S. Fulbright Visiting Research Chair in Public Diplomacy. I love engaging with the diversity of perspectives and experiences within public diplomacy and how the program welcomes and connects us to the larger public diplomacy community.