robinkhan – Page 6

September 9, 2021September 10, 2021

Contributed by Marc Lynch, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs

“The ability to justify U.S. foreign policy decisions, align ideologically with the Bush administration, or to inform counterterrorism initiatives often outweighed language skills, regional expertise, or scholarship on themes unrelated to terrorism.”

9/11 had mixed effects on academic Middle East Studies. On the one hand, the study of Islam and the broader Middle East became hotly politicized, with new experts on terrorism with little knowledge of the region flooding the media, op-ed pages, and bookstores. The supposed failure of the field to anticipate the terrorist attacks became the wedge for a broader attack on Middle East Studies as a whole. The demands of the post-9/11 policy agenda pushed funders and some scholars towards a narrow basket of questions such as terrorism, radical Islamist movements, and—after the 2003 invasion—Iraq. The ability to justify U.S. foreign policy decisions, align ideologically with the Bush administration, or to inform counterterrorism initiatives often outweighed language skills, regional expertise, or scholarship on themes unrelated to terrorism. On the other hand, the post-9/11 surge of interest in the Middle East and the flood of students interested in the Middle East pouring into graduate programs fueled demand for qualified faculty. As the war on terror and the occupation of Iraq dragged on, the demand for genuine expertise also grew within the U.S. government and the broader policy world, opening up unprecedented opportunities for Middle East scholars to effectively engage and inform the policy process. Finally, the rise of social media in this period allowed a wide range of scholars, junior and senior alike, to engage the public sphere in novel ways, with their blogs, short essays and Twitter feeds reaching journalists and policymakers alike.

September 9, 2021September 10, 2021

Contributed by Deepa M. Ollapally, Research Professor of International Affairs and the Associate Director of the Sigur Center for Asian Studies

“In the weeks and months after 9/11, I saw the way that the idea of extremism and terrorism in the western popular mind and within the security community worldview, became invariably linked to ethnic and religious factors.”

9/11 had a profound impact on my work on international security and South Asia. In the weeks and months after 9/11, I saw the way that the idea of extremism and terrorism in the western popular mind and within the security community worldview, became invariably linked to ethnic and religious factors. This was deeply disturbing to me since the dominant history of South Asia is notable for tolerance and coexistence, despite highly plural societies. Besides, much of the post-9/11 analysis was from a U.S. policy perspective with little theoretical or historical content—and for a region with an overabundance of history and political complexity—this was completely misguided. I wanted to challenge what I feared was fast becoming conventional wisdom and ended up writing an entire book to do so! In my book, The Politics of Extremism in South Asia (Cambridge, 2008), I argue that the main drivers of extremism in South Asia are external geopolitical factors that combine with specific interests of state elites to subvert domestic historical identities that tended to be inclusive. Twenty years on, our academic understanding of extremism in South Asia has become better but our policies still leave much to be desired.

September 9, 2021September 10, 2021

Contributed by David Shambaugh, Gaston Sigur Professor of Asian Studies, Political Science & International Affairs and Director of the China Policy Program

“it took Washington’s strategic focus off of Beijing and it bought nearly eight years of relatively smooth, stable, and constructive U.S.-China relations. The relationship has never been as stable or cooperative since.”

9/11 certainly did impact US-China relations, as the then new Bush 43 administration had strategic competition with China in its sights as the No. 1 foreign and military policy priority—but with 9/11 China all of a sudden became a key “partner” in the “global war on terror” (GWOT). Chinese President Jiang Zemin was reported to have witnessed the planes hitting the twin towers in New York live on CNN, and immediately thereafter the Chinese government tried to put through a (secure) phone call from Jiang to President Bush. Of course, Bush was in no position to receive such a call, but a few weeks later the two leaders spoke and President Jiang offered the United States China’s full cooperation against al-Qaeda and attacking the Taliban (this included briefly permitting overflights of Chinese territory to bomb the Taliban). It was very astute of Jiang and the Chinese government to take advantage of 9/11 in this way, as it took Washington’s strategic focus off of Beijing and it bought nearly eight years of relatively smooth, stable, and constructive US-China relations. The relationship has never been as stable or cooperative since.

September 9, 2021September 10, 2021

Contributed by Arturo C. Sotomayor, Associate Professor of International Affairs and Director of the Security Policy Studies Program

“The role of non-state actors in shaping insecurity, threat, and risk was taken much more seriously by the security sector after 2001.”

The 9/11 attacks had a significant impact on security studies as a discipline. Terrorism was studied prior to September 11, 2001. Indeed, some of the most important theoretical insights we have about political violence come from the classic literature on terrorism authored decades before the major attacks by al-Qaeda. But what happened after 9/11 was that the study of terrorism acquired high level prominence within the field of security studies. There was increased public interest in this phenomenon, a plethora of publications were dedicated to analyzing terrorism, scholars debriefed decision-makers, and even journalists cited academic works on terrorism. Terrorism was no longer seen as an intrinsic characteristic of the developing world, an effect of post-colonialism, or constrained to just Europe and the Middle East. The role of non-state actors in shaping insecurity, threat, and risk was taken much more seriously by the security sector after 2001. Yet, despite the large body of contemporary literature produced since 9/11, the main questions remain: Can terrorism be defeated with military force? What type of measures can governments put in place to avoid future terrorist attacks? How much security should citizens tolerate in the name of counterterrorism? Should state authorities engage in negotiations with terrorists to achieve peace? What is the relationship between political regimes and terrorism? My biggest fear about post-9/11 is historical amnesia in academia and policy-making circles. Policymakers tend to focus their attention on the current challenges and have virtually no time to think about the past, let alone reflect on the lessons learned from 9/11. Hence, amnesia is frequently the source of major policy mistakes, that is until the next major terrorist attack occurs. Security studies scholars have thus a commitment to continue studying terrorism rigorously and systematically; after all, terrorism is not a fad or a single incident. We also have an obligation to expose our current students—future policy makers—to the mistakes made by the United States in the aftermath of 9/11: walls were built to protect garrison states; human rights abuses were justified in the name of safety wars by choice were declared; and a culture of “fear of the other” emerged. Understanding the imperfection of our very own acts—and policies—is also part of the learning process.

June 4, 2021June 4, 2021

Elliott School Virtual Graduation Highlights Reel

May 6, 2021May 6, 2021

Celebrating the Elliott School Class of 2021

The graduation celebration recognizes the achievement and hard work of every student at the Elliott School. Each year, the school presents awards for outstanding scholars, ethical leaders, students who demonstrate a commitment to public service, students who aspire to a career in public diplomacy, and students who exemplify the qualities of leadership in international affairs. In addition, the Elliott School honors the outstanding achievements of the dean’s scholars, a highly-selective two-year program for Juniors and Seniors in the Elliott School. Meet these exceptional Elliott School graduates of the class of 2021. Raise High!

Undergraduate Awards

The Distinguished Scholar Award recognizes an undergraduate student for superior academic achievement. Jacob Winn was a Fall 2020 Elliott School graduate, having earned the Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs and political science. He was a member of the Dean’s Scholars Program and was inducted as a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Jacob’s research on the influence of the Brexit movement on the British Conservative Party will be published in Cornell University’s International Affairs Review, the ESIA Dean’s Scholar’s Journal, and the GW Undergraduate Review and he has presented his findings at a number of research conferences and symposia, including the University of Pittsburgh’s European and Eurasian Undergraduate Research Symposium. During his time in Elliott, Jacob interned at the Office of Personnel Management, the Democratic Governors Association, the House Energy and Commerce Committee, and the Massachusetts Democratic Party.

The Edward “Skip” Gnehm Leadership, Ethics, and Practice Prize is awarded to an undergraduate or graduate student who has demonstrated leadership and ethical thinking during their GW tenure. Ana Paula “AP” Velasco is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a concentration in Conflict Resolution and a minor in Film Studies. During her time at GW, she has served as the Content Director for TEDxFoggyBottom, one of the largest student-run TEDx organizations in the world, and the Elliott School Film Series Lead and Moderator for the Leadership, Ethics, and Practice (LEAP) Committee. AP was active in the 2020 Presidential Election as a Communications Intern for Dr. Jill Biden’s team on the Biden for President Campaign, was one of 37 Presidential Inaugural Committee Volunteers during the Biden-Harris Presidential Inauguration in Washington D.C., and later served as a Programs and Advocacy Assistant at Issue One. AP is a Research Fellow for the Gender Equality Initiative in International Affairs (GEIA) mapping gender in current academic curriculum and is completing her time as the youngest cohort member at American University’s WeLead Campaign Program, a bipartisan initiative that trains young women to run for office.

The Edward “Skip” Gnehm Leadership, Ethics, and Practice Prize is awarded to Hezel Haehnel, a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a concentration in International Development Studies and a minor in Economics. She is a member of the University Honors Program and an active leader in the GW community. Hezel has served as an intern for the U.S. Department of Commerce working on various projects related to U.S.-African trade relations. She has also conducted an independent research project on Sino-Ethiopian economic relations, served as a Generation Teach teaching fellow, led the GW Ethiopian-Eritrean Students Association, and organized a fundraising campaign for personal care products in Ethiopia. Upon graduation, Hezel will continue her career in global trade advisory.

The Wilbur J. Carr Memorial Award is awarded to one undergraduate and one graduate student who demonstrates outstanding ability in the study of international affairs while displaying the qualities necessary to be a good citizen and dedicated public servant. Manush Mobarhan is a candidate for a Bachelor of Science in International Affairs, with a concentration in International Politics, and Economics. She spent two of her semesters at GW studying abroad in Santiago, Chile and Paris, France. Manush has worked at the Elliott School’s Institute for Middle East Studies since her first year at GW, as well as other internships at the Fulbright Association, the Ibero-American Center for the Rights of Child, and Bates White Economic Consulting. She has also been an active member of Delta Phi Epsilon Professional Foreign Service Sorority, serving as Secretary her junior year and President her senior year. Manush will be staying in DC after graduation working as a consultant at Bates White, with plans to attend law school in the future.

The John Henry Cowles Prize is awarded to the student who combines overall scholastic achievement with leadership potential. Anthony Vetrano is graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs with a concentration in International Politics and a minor in History. During his time at GW, Anthony has worked as a Colonial Inauguration Leader, a Resident Advisor, and a ‘STAR’ Tour Guide. He also worked as a Peer Advisor where he co-taught the Elliott School First Year Experience course. This past year Anthony has completed internships at World Vision International and the U.S. Department of State. Finally, Anthony has been highly active in student theatre organizations, directing a full-length musical and serving as the Artistic Director of Generic Theatre Company.

The Norman H. Friend Prize is awarded to an undergraduate who combines overall scholastic achievement with leadership potential. Soenke (Zeungkuh) Jordan is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in International affairs with a concentration in International Development. In Spring 2021, he conducted qualitative research with his Senior Thesis titled “Censorship, Surveillance, and State Power in the Chinese Internet.” As a student-athlete, Soenke is the captain of the GW Varsity Sailing Team. Representing GW in over 25 sailing competitions during college, including at the Singlehanded National Championships early this May, he is set to (contingent upon qualification). After graduation, Soenke plans to work in a role that revitalizes the transatlantic partnership between the US and the EU.

Graduate Awards

The Elliott School Graduate Student Prize is awarded annually to an Elliott School graduate student who, in the opinion of the dean and the faculty, deserves recognition for academic achievements and contributions to the life of The George Washington University. Anna Rose Agnes is a candidate for a Master of Arts degree in Security Policy Studies with a concentration in Cyber and Technology. She is a recipient of the Department of Defense Cybersecurity Scholarship (CySP). Anna is very proud of her tenure as the Chair (and Co-Chair) of the Security Policy Studies Student Board, helping it to grow into the wonderful organization it is today. During her time on the Board, she has enjoyed countless opportunities to work with amazing students, faculty, and staff to put together exciting speaker series events and other programming for her fellow students. Upon graduation, Anna is looking forward to working for the U.S. federal government.

The Walter Roberts Public Diplomacy Studies Award is awarded to a graduate student at the Elliott School of International Affairs for academic excellence and professional aspirations in public diplomacy. This year it is being awarded to two graduates: Saiansha Panangipalli and Halea Kerr-Layton. Saiansha’s passion for public diplomacy is evident in her internships at the Embassy of India in Washington DC, the Moroccan Embassy in New Delhi, and at PAHO. Saiansha’s brilliant writing and strategic planning skills, and her goal of working in public diplomacy after graduation exemplify the spirit and intention of the Walter Roberts Award. Halea Kerr-Layton has likewise demonstrated outstanding leadership in roles ranging from Presidential Fellow to Strategic Outreach and Engagement Coordinator at GW. She demonstrated a mastery of public diplomacy skills as an intern last summer working with Global Ties, developing and employing analytics in addition to program development and implementation on a real and virtual level. With unmatched interpersonal and analytical skills, Halea will significantly impact the field of public diplomacy as she pursues her career goals.

The Wilbur J. Carr Memorial Award is awarded to one undergraduate and one graduate student who demonstrates outstanding ability in the study of international affairs while displaying the qualities necessary to be a good citizen and dedicated public servant. Henri-Nicolas Grossman is completing his Master of Arts degree in Security Policy Studies (SPS) with a concentration in U.S. national security, having received his B.A. in War Studies and History from King’s College London. A native English and French speaker, Henri-Nicolas has researched and written on issues including Russian disinformation, insurgencies and substate threats in Africa, and great power competition in the Arctic. As a board member of the SPS Speaker Series, he hosted distinguished speakers to discuss current affairs. He interned at the Brookings Institution and on Capitol Hill and plans on serving as a security analyst in government.

Spring 2021 Dean’s Scholars

Leah Berkman is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in international development. She is also completing a minor in women’s, gender and sexuality studies. Her project title is ‘The Role of Civil Society in the Co-Creation of the South African National Strategic Plan on Gender Based Violence.’

Steven David Bernstein is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in Asia. He is also completing a second major in Chinese. His project title is: ‘Taiwan’s Defense Strategy and Artificial Intelligence.’

McKenna Quinn Burelle is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in international economics. She is also completing a second major in economics. The title of her research project is ‘Rural Road Connectivity and its Effects on Access to Health Care: Evidence from India’s PMGSY Project.’

Nicholas Clague is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in security policy. His project is titled: ‘Sanctions Evasion, Import Substitution, and Trade Diversification: Russia’s Response to Western Sanctions on the Russian Defense Industry.’

Alex Erdman is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in international politics. He is also completing a second major in Geography. His project is titled: ‘Language, Party Leadership, and the Construction of Greenlandic Identity.’

Tamara Fazylova is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in International Affairs with a concentration in security policy and a minor in psychology. Her project is titled: ‘Russian Priorities as Understood Through the Domestic Messaging of its Military Interventions in Ukraine and Syria.’

Zoe Garbis is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution. She is also completing a minor in sustainability. Her project is titled ‘Fulfilling the Vision of Colombia’s Gender-Inclusive Peace: The Formal Reintegration of the FARC-EP’s Ex-Combatant Women.’

Maisa Munawara is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution. She is also completing a minor in psychology. Her project is titled: ‘The Indigenization of Mental Health and Psychosocial Services for Rohingya Refugees in Bangladesh.’

Eleni Christina Pappas is a candidate for a Bachelor of Arts degree in international affairs with a concentration in Comparative Political, Economic, and Social Systems. She is also completing a minor in Economics. Her project is titled ‘Displaced Producers and Reproducers: The Economics of Gender Equality in Russia.’

Anshul Rajwanshi is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in security policy. His project is titled: ‘Popular Threat Perception and Encryption, a Case Study of Australia and the United States.’

John Salchak is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in international politics. He is also completing a minor in history. His project is titled ‘Out of Our Domain: ICANN, Technical Organizations, and Political Challenges.’

Jacob Winn is a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts degree program in international affairs with a concentration in international politics. He is also completing a second major in political science. His project is titled ‘Brexit: A Fluke, or the Future of British Conservatism? Analyzing the Post-Brexit Conservative Party’s Populist Status Quo.’

March 31, 2021April 1, 2021

Institute for International Economic Policy’s Executive Circle Launches

Co-Chair Deborah Lehr, Paulson Institute vice chairman/executive director
Co-Chair Frank Wong, President, Asia, at Scholastic Inc.

The IIEP Executive Circle met for the first time on March 10 via Zoom to discuss the global challenges of our times. Elliott’s newest leadership circle brings vast experience and broad perspective to questions that keep scholars at GW Elliott’s Institute for International Economic Policy awake at night.

“These conversations will shape our research and global public programs,” Professor Jay Shambaugh, one of IIEP’s two co-directors, said. Further, says co-director Professor James Foster, “The Executive Circle makes IIEP a more potent force for impact in the world.”

Circle members will advise IIEP’s directors, develop innovative international public programs, support Elliott graduate fellowships, and mentor students headed for careers in finance, trade, and economic development.

The circle capitalizes on Elliott’s international alumni network. Accordingly, the launch event featured thought leaders from around the world. At 5 p.m. East Coast time, the inaugural event began, and screens lit up with Elliott alumni and supporters from points across the map, with members joining from Hong Kong to London and from New York City to Seattle.

No one was shy, as circle members discussed top global priorities, from cybersecurity to the global workforce. The Executive Circle’s co-chairs noted that IIEP faculty are laser focused on these and other worldwide concerns.

According to Deborah Lehr (MA ’89) the institute’s work “has the power to change attitudes, build alliances, and achieve equitable, sustainable economic growth.” Similarly, Frank Wong (BA ’79) points to IIEP’s “emphasis on connecting the dots and creating new possibilities.”

The co-chairs and other executives brought wisdom from professions as diverse as their locales to the formal part of the program, a close look at the path forward for the United States in renewing relationships with major powers in Asia. While opinions varied, a central theme emerged: the relationship between China and the U.S. is one of the biggest geopolitical challenges of this century.

The merger of IIEP’s faculty brain trust with that of the IIEP Executive Circle adds intellectual firepower to the quest for new approaches to this and other global pressures. “The IIEP Executive Circle provides substantive insights, a network for students, and institutional support,” Dr. Ayres said. “And the members bring an array of perspectives on different slices of international economic issues.”

March 1, 2021March 3, 2021

D.C. Student Consortium on Women, Peace and Security

The D.C. Student Consortium on Women, Peace and Security (WPS) is a student-led organization under the leadership of Dr. Shirley Graham, Director of the GW Gender Equality in International Affairs initiative (GEIA), that aims to — in collaboration with the U.S. Civil Society Working Group on WPS (U.S. CSWG) — promote awareness and education about the importance of integrating analysis of women and gender into security and foreign policy.

Madeline Elliott, a second year Elliott School graduate student pursuing a degree in international affairs with a concentration in global gender policy, and one of the group’s founding members, says the impetus for the group’s formation was Dr. Graham’s desire to include multi-generational perspectives in the work of the U.S. CSWG.

In collaboration with CSWG and 18 universities in the D.C. area, the consortium aims to encourage intergenerational thinking between academia and practitioners about the WPS agenda and the gender/security nexus, as well as connect students in the D.C. area working on WPS issues. The CSWG has fully endorsed having the consortium serve as its “mini think tank,” essentially performing innovative research and producing policy briefs for organizations in the Working Group as a means of educating policymakers and promoting awareness of WPS issues.

In honor of International Women’s Day, the group is hosting a day-long conference on March 9, featuring addresses by Sanam Naraghi-Anderlini, Founder and Executive Director of ICAN, as well as Dr. Kathleen Kuehnast, Director of Gender Policy and Strategy at the U.S. Institute of Peace (USIP). The conference also includes workshops on key issues related to the WPS agenda, with experts in each policy topic featured as speakers and representatives from the consortium serving as facilitators. The conversations from these workshops will be foundational for future research conducted by consortium members. Concluding remarks will be given by Ambassador Melanne Verveer, Executive Director of the Georgetown Institute for Women, Peace and Security and first U.S. Ambassador for Global Women’s Issues, as well as Dr. Chantal de Jonge Oudraat, President of Women in International Security (WIIS). Elliott School alumna, Jenna Ben-Yehuda, B.A. ’02, founder of the Women’s Foreign Policy Network, and the President and CEO of the Truman Center for National Policy, will also be a panelist.

For more information about the consortium and the March 9 conference, visit their website.

February 26, 2021March 12, 2021

Elliott Expert Weighs in on Myanmar – Dr. Christina Fink Discusses

No one living in Myanmar today will ever forget February 1, 2021. That was the day the military staged a coup to remove the hugely popular National League of Democracy from office. What made this so shocking was the fact that the military already had constitutionally-protected positions in the executive and legislative branches. However, the Commander-in-Chief had tired of sharing governance with civilian politicians who hoped to reduce the military’s role in politics.

The public was outraged. They had risked covid exposure to vote in the November 2020 elections and had given the National League for Democracy a second landslide victory. Ever since February 1st, citizens have taken to the streets to protest the coup in ever more inventive ways, while a large proportion of civil servants have walked off the job in an effort to shut down the government. People are boycotting products from military-owned companies and are urging the international community to cut business and financial ties with military-run entities. While this may also cause economic pain for civilians, they feel such measures are necessary in the short term to undermine military rule.

As someone who has spent the last 25 years as both a scholar and development practitioner focused on Myanmar, I have been following recent events with mixed emotions. The way the movement has brought people together across different ethnicities, classes, and gender identities has been breathtaking. They have used art, music, fashion, and humor to make their demonstrations a celebration of who they are and what they stand for. Yet, the military has a long history of crushing its opponents through brutal means, and the number of people detained, injured, and killed is rising day by day.

I am currently completing a book on the last decade of political, economic and social reforms in Myanmar. After nearly 50 years of military rule, the 2010s were a period in which elected politicians made genuine efforts to meet their needs. Every one of the over 100 interviews I did with Myanmar citizens in recent years was memorable as people reflected on the opportunities that had opened up. However, one interview I think of often was with an elected parliamentarian who said villagers in his constituency were incredulous when the government began providing money for local-determined development initiatives. In the past, they had only experienced an extractive and punitive government, focused on maintaining its power rather than enhancing the well-being of citizens.

Similarly, before 2010, the regime had purposely restricted the supply of Sim cards to their inner circle so that the rest of the population could not use mobile phones to organize against military rule. In the 2010s, the civilian government liberalized telecommunications and people took to social media droves. As in other countries, this had its positives and negatives. The military and ultranationalists aligned with them used Facebook to spread hate speech and whip up fear of non-Buddhists and groups they labelled as non-citizens. Still, widespread connectivity enabled businesses to flourish and people to connect in ways that had previously been impossible.

Myanmar’s journey has been particularly difficult. Yet development, whether at the local, national, or global level, is inevitably full of challenges, both anticipated and unanticipated. Over the long term, with vision, persistence, and partnership, obstacles can be overcome and aspirations realized. I hope that soon Myanmar will be back on track and that peace, inclusive governance, and equitable development lie ahead.

—Dr. Christina Fink is a professor of practice of international affairs in the Elliott School’s International Development Studies M.A. program.

February 23, 2021March 4, 2021

Witness to History #IWasThere

Ana Paula Velasco, an Elliott School senior majoring in international affairs with a concentration in conflict resolution, had a front seat to history recently as one of only 37 volunteers assisting at the 59th presidential inauguration of President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.

How did you end up being one of only 37 volunteers at the presidential inauguration?

During the last leg of the Biden for President campaign, I was offered the opportunity to work on Dr. Jill Biden’s team as a communications intern. From August to November, I worked with the communications team to push out Dr. Biden’s social media messaging outreach and helped draft some of her speeches. It’s still crazy to me to think that I was able to play a role in the election’s outcome, even if it was on a small scale. After the campaign was over, a mentor of mine whom I had worked with on the campaign reached out and asked if I would be in DC for the inauguration and would I be interested in volunteering? I was admittedly nervous due to the January 6th terrorist attack on the Capitol, but I knew it was a moment I would be able to tell my kids about one day, so I told her yes! And it just went from there.

What were you responsible for as a volunteer?

We were all given responsibilities the day of the event. I and another volunteer were put in charge of helping out the Presidential Inaugural Committee on the ground and were located at the corner of Hamilton and 15th. It was a very windy day as well, so we also assisted staff helping to set up barriers for the perimeter.

What were some of the most memorable moments from the inauguration?

The most memorable moment for me was having a quick moment with Dr. Biden. The entire procession, from the marching bands to the motorcades, traveled down to 15th where I and my partner were stationed. As the presidential motorcade drove by, Dr. Biden happened to be facing my side of the street. Everyone else present was either security or media, so I was actually the only one waving at the time. I had no idea she would make eye contact with me and wave back! During the campaign itself, I was never able to meet Dr. Biden because of COVID protocols and the hectic nature of the campaign, so that moment really felt full circle for me. Bonus — MSNBC caught the moment live on TV!

Did you have any starstruck moments seeing some of the big names in attendance?

It all felt like a dream. It really wasn’t until after the day was over that I reflected on the experience and what an historic opportunity it was. There was a moment where Vice President Harris’ motorcade stopped in front of us for about eight minutes and I couldn’t believe she was there. Truly such a great day and one I will never forget!