Skip to content

Synkov Photo 3Dmitriy Synkov is a first-year graduate student pursuing an MA in International Affairs with concentrations in international security and economics. Currently, Dmitriy works as an intern at International Business Initiatives (IBI), an economic development consulting firm in Ballston, VA. Prior to IBI, Dmitriy interned at Pact, a capacity development NGO, where he served as the program management point-of-contact for global projects in the East & West Africa portfolio. He’s also worked as a Research Assistant for Dr. Paul D. Williams, Associate Director of the Security Policy Studies M.A. Program at the Elliott School.

Dmitriy is interested in political risk analysis in emerging markets and early warning systems for conflict prevention. Before starting graduate school, Dmitriy worked at the Alliance for Peacebuilding (AfP) as an editorial assistant for Building Peace Forum, a semi-annual journal on current trends in conflict analysis and resolution. Over two publication seasons, Dmitriy supported author selection efforts for the magazine, oversaw the execution of a multi-platform social media strategy, and assisted in the placement of magazine authors into various external media outlets. Dmitriy holds a BA in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, and has also studied at York University in Toronto, ON.

photo-YANG ZHAOYang is a first-year student in the M.A. European and Eurasian Studies program. Her focus is Russia and Central Asian countries.

Yang will be interning at the World Bank’s Enabling the Business of Agriculture (EBA) project for Spring 2016. Yang will be responsible for developing and maintaining effective links with external partners from Russian-speaking countries, collecting data from specialists through questionnaires, and researching laws and regulations with primary data sources and publicly available information.Yang is passionate about applying research to better understand development issues and promote international cooperation in solving complex problems, such as ending poverty and rural development.

Prior to grad school, Yang worked as the executive assistant to Consul General of Kazakhstan in Shanghai from 2012 to 2014 and in the telecommunication industry in Moscow, Russia from 2010 to 2012. Yang graduated from Shanghai International Studies University in 2010 with bachelor’s degree in Russian and Russian literature. She also studied as an exchange student at Belgorod National Research University in Russia from 2008 to 2009.

 

 

MSC Mathilde is an international student at the Elliott School of International Affairs, where she is studying for her Masters in Security Policy Studies.  She specialises in Transnational Security and Conflict Resolution, and is hoping to build a career bridging the gap between Private Security Contractors and nonviolent conflict operations.

Mathilde has a nuanced background, prior to grad school she worked at Morgan Stanley, the IFC and the Swedish-American Chamber of Commerce in New York.  She completed her undergraduate degree at the UK’s University of Bath in 2013 with a BSc in Politics and International Relations.

Beyond her career, she is passionate about her work with the Mentor Foundation, the leading international NGO that works to prevent drug abuse amongst children and youths.  She believes the path to secure society starts with empowering young people from all backgrounds.

Mathilde moved to D.C. from Stockholm in August and is loving this vibrant and motivating city. She is making the most of her time at GWU, and is working to combine her graduate studies with political internships in the near future.

david okun

David is a second year in the M.A. Latin American and Hemispheric Studies program and a Brazil Initiative Fellow, with specializations in Security and Economic Development. He serves as an editor on the GWU International Affairs Review, was an Orientation Leader this summer, and is active in the DC performing arts community.

While at the Elliott School, he has interned with Freedom House; the Organization of American States; and the State Department as a summer intern and currently as a Pathways Intern.

Prior to grad school, David taught in a bilingual classroom in Texas through Teach For America. David graduated from the University of Georgia in 2012 with bachelor's degrees in Spanish and International Affairs.

1

DSC_0064Roman Torres is a first year student in the International Affairs program. His focus while at the Elliott School is international economics and data analysis, so Roman wanted a summer internship that would give him some practical experience working with data and economic issues in the real world. He found a perfect match with Planet Indonesia; a newly formed NGO based in the Indonesian part of West Borneo.

Planet Indonesia’s main goal is to help poor communities (especially those in areas with sensitive ecosystems) engage in productive economic activities that preserve natural habitats and cultural traditions. They do this by facilitating the creation of small joint-business groups in which people work together to develop skills, produce valuable goods, and successfully bring it to the market. Additionally, Planet Indonesia helps communities organize communal banks that are funded from the business groups’ sales, making credit accessible to populations outside the scope of mainstream financial institutions.

Planet Indonesia has asked Roman to assist in capacity training for the Indonesian staff. Particularly in areas like long-term strategies, monitoring and evaluation of programs, project management, and data analysis. Roman has held several workshops, introducing concepts and tools to help the

The small island village of Pulau Limbun (there are less than 100 households), where Roman is working on projects with Planet Indonesia.
The small island village of Pulau Limbun (there are less than 100 households), where Roman is working on projects with Planet Indonesia.

Indonesian staff think about the organization’s mission, ways they can achieve their goals, how to measure their progress, identifying good indicators, generating and tracking data, and effective ways to communicate this information to donors and potential donors.

Roman plans to enter the field of international consultancy after graduation. His time with Planet Indonesia is giving him valuable experience working with a client from a completely different cultural background and with a different language, as well as to learning how to be effective while managing clients’ expectations.  Roman hopes that the skills he nurtured during his internship at Planet Indonesia will make him a more competitive candidate in the job market later on.

He will also really miss Indonesian food! You can reach Roman with questions or comments at romantorres@gwu.edu

 

 

1

If you're a new graduate student joining the Elliott School this fall take a moment to get to know the Fall 2015 Elliott School Orientation Leaders. These current graduate students have been selected as ambassadors to their programs  and will be present at Graduate Student Orientation to welcome you to the Elliott School.


Sheila Dollard 1Sheila Dollard is a second year master’s student in the Global Communication program at GW, concentrating in International Economics. A DMV native, she completed her undergraduate studies in Psychology and Spanish at the University of Maryland. Sheila has worked for the Department of State since 2011. She enjoys exploring the city, connecting with friends, and volunteering in her free time.


noraNora Hassan is a student in the International Development Studies program. She currently works as a Fellow in the Office of Graduate Enrollment. Nora's academic interests are in WASH, the environment, and climate change.  When she's not studying or working, she enjoys spending time outside- hiking, kayaking, at the beach, etc! She also loves being crafty in her free time. Nora welcomes all new students to the Elliott School and GW!


IMG_1865Michael Nair is a current graduate student in the M.A. Security Policy Studies program specializing in Transnational Security Issues and Non-State Actors. Before graduate school Michael was a congressional relations intern at the German Marshall Fund and an analyst intern at GardaWorld. He received his Bachelors in International Affairs from the Elliott School with a concentration in Conflict & Security. During his undergraduate studies, David was on the varsity squash team for three years and interned on the Hill for Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge. He was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and loves to travel, try new foods, play/watch soccer and is an avid snowboarder.


DavidOkun_photoDavid Okun is a rising second year in the M.A. Latin American and Hemispheric Studies program and a Brazil Initiative Fellow, with specializations in Security and Economic Development. He serves as an associate editor on the GWU International Affairs Review and is active in the DC performing arts community. While at the Elliott School, he has interned at a democracy & human rights non-profit, the Organization of American States, and is currently at the State Department transitioning into a Pathways position. David is excited to welcome the Class of 2017 to Foggy Bottom!


Jan Schwarzenberg is a second-year Security Policy Studies student, focusing on Emerging Transnational Threats. Jan is currently a senior federal officer with the DoD. Combining his military and civilian government careers, Jan is working primarily in special operations, counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency. He has lived, studied and worked in numerous countries.

Yuxuan Shen is a rising second year student in the M.A. International Trade and Investment Policy program with a concentration in Yuxuaninternational business. She graduated from the Elliott School in 2013 with a B.A. in International Affairs. Currently, as a GWU Presidential Administrative Fellow, Yuxuan works in the GW Finance Division.

lindsey informal bio picLindsey Spanner is a student in the M.A. Global Communication focusing on International Development. Her main areas of interest are education, women's and gender issues, and humanitarian settings, specifically how communication can be used as a solution to problems in these areas. She currently tutors international students as part of the Elliott School's International Dialogue Program, and has interned at the American Red Cross, Institute of International Education, and the National Alliance to End Homelessness. She came to GWU directly after graduating from Ohio University in May 2014.

Alexa Stroh
Alexa Stroh is pursuing a M.A. International Affairs with concentrations in U.S. foreign policy and global gender policy. She is from Arizona and received her bachelor's degree in international affairs from Northern Arizona University. She has studied abroad in Denmark, Egypt, Spain, and at sea. In addition, she interned in the consular section at U.S. Embassy Reykjavik in Iceland.

Lebanon Picture

Anne Wagner is a student in the M.A. International Affairs program with a concentration in Conflict Resolution. Anne's  research interest is the Middle East, and she is currently on an Elliott Exchange with the American University of Beirut, Lebanon, where she is taking classes on Social Inequality, Middle East Studies, and Arabic language. Currently, Anne is working with a small NGO in Lebanon dealing with educational inequity, and last semester she interned on the Hill with her Congressman. Anne feels both opportunities have been incredibly valuable experiences.  Feel free to reach out to Anne anytime or say hello when you get to DC in the Fall--she's happy to help!


DD
DD Wu is a student in the M.A. Asian Studies program at The George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. Her research interests center around East Asian topics. She worked as an editor in an influential market-oriented daily newspaper in China before she came to the United States to pursue her master degree.

Orientation Leaders not featured above include:
Meghan Gable, M.A. International Development Studies
Timothy Jensen, M.A. Middle East Studies
Maya Sharma, M.A. International Science and Technology Policy
Lev Vladimirsky, M.A. European and Eurasian Studies

Strub.Zhujiajiao
Doug in the small Chinese water town of Zhujiajiao, which is located on the outskirts of Shanghai

Doug Strub is a second year M.A. candidate in the International Affairs program at the The George Washington University, where he is focusing his studies on East Asia and U.S.-China relations. He recently returned from spending seven months in China, during which he participated in an intensive language program during the summer and spent the fall semester at Fudan University in Shanghai studying the politics and economy of China. During his time in Shanghai he also worked at the China Economic Review as both an editorial intern and as a contributing author. This experience allowed him much greater insight into the finer details of China’s economy, as he was often researching and writing about topics such as abnormal fluctuations in highway freight, causes of regional variations in labor strikes, local consequences of unregulated industrialization, and domestic perceptions of economic trends such as foreign direct investment, financial liberalization, and expanding special economic zones.

As an undergraduate at California State University, Chico, Doug taught a United Nations simulation course and led the university’s Model United Nations team to earn the highest awards at both the regional conference in Seattle and the national conference in NYC. He was also president of the Students for Diplomatic Solutions club, a member of the Phi Theta Kappa honor society, and worked for two years as an Instructional Student Assistant. Prior to his return to higher education Doug spent five years in Los Angeles working as an audio engineer and Pro Tools editor, during which time he earned multiple gold records for his work on projects such as the Steve Miller Band, Justin Timberlake, and Godsmack.

DavidMedina_November 2014David Medina is a candidate for the M.A. in International Affairs degree with a focus on International Law and Organizations at the Elliott School. David considers Boston, MA and Medellin, Colombia as his home. His passion for the study of international affairs was prompted by the desire to understand the political and social strife of the country his family emigrated from at a young age and the growing interconnectedness between countries.

In 2009, David graduated from the College of the Holy Cross, where he majored in Political Science and Spanish with a concentration on Latin American Studies. After graduating, David worked as an educator at the Noble and Greenough School in Dedham, MA. In his five years working in education, David served in the History department, taught Geography, coached in the soccer, lacrosse, and basketball programs, mentored and advised individual students and student-led organizations, implemented community service projects domestically and abroad, and helped establish programming to advance cross-cultural competency and diversity work at the institution as the Assistant Director of Diversity. Additionally, David has taught and traveled expansively in Spain, Egypt, Colombia, and Bolivia. In 2013, David was a featured speaker at the National Partnership for Educational Access where he advocated for the importance of educational programming to underserved neighborhoods. David currently sits on the Alumni Council of the Steppingstone Foundation, a non-profit academic program that serves elementary school students in the Greater Boston area. David enjoys community service and an active life; he has run in five Boston marathons and hopes to fundraise and participate in more races in the future.

Nicole CataNicole Catá is a joint-degree candidate at The George Washington University, where she studies International Human Rights Law at the Law School and Global Gender Policy at the Elliott School of International Affairs.

Since coming to DC in 2011, she has served as a judicial intern at the U.S. Court of Federal Claims, a research assistant to Judge Thomas Buergenthal, a legal intern at National Advocates for Pregnant Women, a student attorney and legal fellow at GW Law School’s International Human Rights Clinic, and a government relations legal intern at the Center for Reproductive Rights. She is currently working as a law clerk at Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, the world’s leading immigration law firm, and as a volunteer at the Capital Area Immigrants’ Rights (CAIR) Coalition.

At the Elliott School, she serves as the Lead Graduate Student Ambassador for the Office of Academic Advising and Student Services, where she helps give current Elliott School graduate students the opportunity to share their experiences with incoming students and collaborate on program and event planning to support the academic mission and enhance the sense of community within the Elliott School. Nicole graduated with a major in English & Comparative Literature and concentrations in human rights and French from Columbia University in May 2011.

Elliott School Graduate Student Ambassadors (GSA) are current Elliott School graduate students who have been selected to provide the student perspective and enhance the sense of community within the Elliott School. GSAs will plan and host events throughout the year and are happy to help connect Elliott School graduate students to resources and opportunities.

RachelRachel MacElhenney

Program: Master of Arts in International Trade and Investment Policy

Hometown: Collegeville, PA

Undergraduate Degree: Hobart and William Smith Colleges; B.A. International Relations and European Studies

Favorite Place You’ve Been: It’s cliché, but I love Paris, France

Favorite Restaurant: El Centro on 14th

Advice: Elliott School has so much to offer its students. Take advantage of your professor’s office hours and the diverse classes available. Step out of your comfort zone and take an elective that you would not normally consider.

 

AllisonAllison Haugen

Program: Master of Arts in Latin American & Hemispheric Studies

Hometown: Vancouver, WA

Undergraduate Degree: Washington State University: B.A. in Political Science; B.A. in Spanish; Minor in History

Favorite Place You’ve Been: Marrakech, Morocco

Favorite Restaurant: Nooshi on 19th and N

Advice: Take advantage of everything that the Elliott School and DC has to offer, two years goes by faster than you know it.

 

gregGreg Tourial

Program: Master of Arts in European and Eurasian Studies

Hometown: Atlanta, GA

Undergraduate Degree: The University of Georgia; BA in History, BA in International Affairs,

Favorite Place You’ve Been: Rome (Venice and London get honorable mentions)

Favorite Restaurant: This is really lame, but it’s Chipotle.

Advice: Make friends (also known as networking) with students outside of your program. You never know when a common interest or a possible connection with someone can lead you to opportunities you never considered. Having social connections with people from diverse personal and academic backgrounds is also important for gaining new perspectives.

 

AnneAnne Bergren

Program: Master of Arts in International Affairs

Hometown: Minnetonka, MN

Undergraduate Degree: Hamline University, BA in Economics

Favorite Place You’ve Been: Burma

Favorite Restaurant: Mi Cuba located in Columbia Heights--delicious, family-owned, cheap Cuban food!

Advice: First, make friends with your classmates; they’re hard-working, intelligent, welcoming people who will keep you sane during finals and be your greatest connections in the workplace. Second, keep your life balanced! Take time to relax, exercise, and sleep. I promise, you’ll be both happier and more productive.

 

NikhilNikhil Gehani

Program: Master of Arts in International Development Studies

Hometown: West Bloomfield, MI

Undergraduate Degree: Michigan State University; BA in Marketing

Favorite Place You’ve Been: The backwaters of Kerala, India

Favorite Restaurant: The Red Hen in Bloomingdale

Advice: Challenge your assumptions and don’t be afraid to push back against professors. Attend events outside your specific field and develop a unique perspective. Ask questions and don’t settle for easy answers. Also, eat your vegetables.

 

Nicole Cata

Nicole Catá

Program: Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in International Affairs

Hometown: Flushing, NY and Cortland, NY

Undergraduate Degree: Columbia University; BA in English & Comparative Literature, human rights, and French

Favorite Place You’ve Been: Paris, France and Florence, Italy

Favorite Restaurant: Founding Farmers in Foggy Bottom and Mi Cuba Café in Columbia Heights

Advice: Seek out free events in DC! Some helpful resources include Brightest Young Things, DCist, International Club of DC, Knowledge Commons DC, and Scoutmob DC. Visit the monuments at night, enjoy Jazz in the Sculpture Garden, and explore your neighborhood!

 

 

maxine

Maxine Wang

Program: Master of Arts in Global Communication

Hometown: Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Undergraduate Degree: BA in Political Science

Favorite Place You’ve Been: Seattle

Favorite Restaurant: Old Ebbitt Grill

Advice: There is no one in the world you cannot reach out. Go talk to the person you want to know more about and ask for career advice.

 

mariah

Mariah Martin

Program: Security Policy Studies

Hometown: Yarmouth, Maine

Undergraduate Degree: International Relations: International Security

Favorite Place You’ve Been: Florence, Italy

Advice: Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to people you don’t know at Elliott. You’ll find some of the friendliest and most accomplished people here, and it’s silly to waste any chance to get to know them. Go to student events (especially the ones with free food!) and visit your professor during office hours- even just to talk and get to know them. You won’t regret it!

 

phoenix

Phoenix Mourning-Star

Program: International Science and Technology Policy

Undergraduate Degree: Mathematics

Favorite Place You’ve Been: Antarctica/Drake Passage and

Favorite Restaurant: Jay’s Bistro

Advice: Plan the work, then work the plan