Title: Introducing the 2022-2023 MSFS Reps

Alex was born in Los Angeles, grew up in Taipei, and spent the last 5 years studying and working in Tokyo. He has been a fan of the political TV show Madam Secretary since high school, and aspires to work in the government upon graduating from Georgetown. Before joining the MSFS program, Alex was involved with multiple non-profit organizations, working on issues ranging from security to human rights. His current research interests include the Free and Open Indo-Pacific, US-Japan alliance, and US-Taiwan relations. Outside of the classroom, Alex enjoys cooking, photography, exploring the city, and can also be found at both mixers and academic seminars. Alex decided to run for MSFS student representative because he is passionate about serving the community around him. As a student rep, he hopes to bring positive change, organize events and advocate for fellow MSFSers, and foster stronger connections within and beyond the MSFS program.

After earning her BA in International Relations with a minor in Chinese from the University of California, Davis, In-Hwan moved to Seoul, South Korea to expand her worldview. She eventually found a position as a Business Manager in an entertainment company, where she gained experience in business development, project management, event planning, and social media marketing. She is currently attending Georgetown University in pursuit of eventually joining the Foreign Service as a Public Diplomacy Officer. “I ran for a position on the MSFS Student Representatives because I believe in the strength of diversity – not just in ethnicity but in the diversity of experiences. Even from orientation, my cohort members expressed concern about job opportunities as international students or as students that moved to DC with partners and family. I hope to address such needs and serve all members of our community.”

Therese is concentrating in International Development and pursuing a certificate in Gender, Peace, and Security. Before joining the MSFS program, she oversaw community engagement for a refugee resettlement agency in New York City and joined the Peace Corps in North Macedonia in the community development sector. She spent her summer between the first and second year of graduate school as a Advocacy Project Peace Fellow supporting two local human rights organizations in Nepal. “Three months before I even applied to Georgetown, I moved into a house full of strangers, half of whom happened to be MSFS 1st-year students at the time. Getting to know 1st and 2nd-year students from the beginning is what has made the graduate school experience special. As a second year student I would like to pay it forward and continue building an inclusive and welcoming community for dual, first, and second year students within the MSFS program and across the university.”

Logan Petkosek is a second year MSFS student concentrating in Global Business, Finance, and Society. Growing up, she moved around the world every 2 – 3 years with her military family but now calls Alexandria, Virginia home. She spent the last year in Slovakia as a Fulbright English Teaching Assistant and previously worked at an entrepreneurship-focused non-profit organization. She has completed internships at United Way Worldwide and the International Studies Office at UVA, where she earned her B.A. in Economics and Foreign Affairs. Logan currently serves as a Fellow with Sustainable Capital Advisors. She is interested in sustainable finance, impact measurement, and impact investing. “After being totally virtual for my first year at MSFS, I decided to run for Reps after returning from my leave of absence to make sure MSFS feels like a community, especially for those who have also had non-traditional graduate school experiences. I look forward to organizing events that will bring students together and serving as a voice for the class.”

Brendan Stewart is a second-year MSFS student concentrating in Global Politics and Security. His hobbies include fishing, cooking, and movies. Brendan joined the MSFS Reps because he likes being actively involved in his community.