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

03/12/2026

🚀 MSFS kicked off the spring semester with a series of engaging conversations, practitioner insights, and community events across January and February. Here’s a recap of what happened on the Hilltop:

1️⃣ MSFS launched the semester with an Over the Horizon discussion on the future of Venezuela. Moderated by MSFS Director George Shambaugh, the panel featured Ambassador James B. Story, Dr. Fabiana Perera, and Carlos E. Chacon Cupello, who examined Venezuela’s political trajectory and geopolitical position over the coming decade.

2️⃣ Practitioner in Residence Dr. Vivian Walker joined students for a discussion on the future of soft power. Drawing on her career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, she explored how cultural diplomacy, credibility, and long-term engagement shape influence in an increasingly fragmented global information environment.

3️⃣ Mercy Tembon, former Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group, shared lessons from development work in crisis settings. She reflected on the importance of trust, flexibility, and relationship-building when working in fragile political and institutional environments.

4️⃣ Former Deputy Under Secretary of Defense David J. Trachtenberg led an informal discussion on great power competition, examining how historical experiences and threat perceptions shape the strategic behavior of the United States, Russia, and China.

5️⃣ Three MSFS alumni from the U.S. Department of the Treasury returned to campus to speak with students about what it’s like working on international affairs at the Treasury and the pathways students can take to start a career there.

6️⃣ Mock Orals brought together alumni, faculty, and practitioners to help second-year MSFS students prepare for their final oral examinations through practice panels and feedback sessions.

7️⃣ Dr. Jason W. Davidson joined MSFS for a book talk on NATO After Russia’s Invasion of Ukraine, discussing how differing threat perceptions and national priorities continue to shape alliance dynamics despite renewed unity.

8️⃣ World Bank economists Tommy Chrimes, Kate McKinnon, and Peter Selcuk presented insights from the Global Economic Prospects report.

02/24/2026

Congratulations to our outstanding MSFS students for their achievements at International Model NATO 2026 👏

Held in Washington, DC, from February 12–15, Model NATO is an annual simulation where students represent NATO member states, negotiate policy, and respond to evolving security challenges in a setting that mirrors real alliance decision-making.

Emily Houtz (MSFS ’27) and Lindsay Dixon (MSFS ’27) were recognized with Superior Delegation in the Military Committee, while Sean Bierman (MSFS ’27) and Anna Thiessen (MSFS ’27) earned Distinguished Delegation.

We also celebrate the full MSFS delegation: Lucien O’Brien, Wyatt Weeks, Marta Hernandez, Jared Abazia, Katya Mouradian, Lydia Kang, Paul Noone, Laila Ghabrial, and Elsa Lunar Alonso. We are proud to see you representing Georgetown with such excellence. 🌍

02/19/2026

Congratulations to MSFS students Oskar Jansson (MSFS 27’) and Lam Tran (MSFS 26’) on representing Georgetown at the 2026 Raisina-IE Global Student Challenge! 🎉

Taking place alongside the Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi, India, in March 2026, the Challenge brings together students from leading global affairs programs to collaborate on policy solutions after weeks of virtual teamwork. This year’s focus on global governance and AI highlights the importance of cross-regional perspectives on emerging challenges.

We’re proud to see Oskar and Lam on the global stage 🌍

11/18/2025

What a memorable day on the Hilltop!

🎓 On October 24, the MSFS program welcomed alumni from the 50th, 40th and 25th reunion classes back to campus for a rich day of reflection, connection, and celebration.

🤝 From engaging in a special Skills Clinic with current students — featuring panelists Chet Crocker, Allan Goodman, Cas Yost, and George Shambaugh — to small-group breakout sessions, campus tours and a celebration of legacy with remarks by Dean Joel Hellman, this event truly captured the spirit of our global community.

Read the full story on our website! 🔗 link in bio

11/18/2025

What a memorable day on the Hilltop!

🎓 On October 24, the MSFS program welcomed alumni from the 50th, 40th and 25th reunion classes back to campus for a rich day of reflection, connection, and celebration.

🤝 From engaging in a special Skills Clinic with current students — featuring panelists Chet Crocker, Allan Goodman, Cas Yost, and George Shambaugh — to small-group breakout sessions, campus tours and a celebration of legacy with remarks by Dean Joel Hellman, this event truly captured the spirit of our global community.

Read the full story here👇
🔗 https://sfs.georgetown.edu/news/msfs-alumni-return-to-the-hilltop-for-a-day-of-reflection-and-celebration/

11/14/2025

🤔 What does the future of the United Nations look like ten years from now? How can we get there?

💬 On November 10, we hosted our second event as part of our Over The Horizon series — this time on the future of the United Nations. We were joined by Dr. Anthony Clark Arend, Dr. Lise Howard, and Dr. Abiodun Williams for a discussion moderated by MSFS Director Dr. George Shambaugh.

👏 The event was packed with questions, discussions, and analyses of what does and does not work within the current UN structure and what reforms are possible and necessary for the future of the institution. Thank you to our panelists for your insights and to all who attended for participating in an engaging discussion!

11/11/2025

11/04/2025

On October 9-10, forty students from Georgetown University’s MSFS program traveled to New York City for the return of the annual MSFS New York Career Trek—a dynamic two-day event connecting current students with accomplished alumni working across various aspects of international affairs.

Read the full story on our website here👇
🔗 https://sfs.georgetown.edu/news/msfs-students-and-alumni-connect-in-new-york-city-for-the-2025-msfs-career-trek/

The Career Trek could not have been made possible without the generous involvement of our MSFS Board and distinguished alumni.

Hoya Saxa!

On October 9-10, 2025, forty students from Georgetown University’s Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program traveled to New York City for the return of the annual MSFS New York Career Trek—a dynamic two-day event connecting current students with accomplished alumni working across vari...

10/27/2025

On October 15 and 22, MSFS hosted a two-part workshop series led by David Albright and Sarah Burkhard from the Institute for Science and International Security, offering a technical introduction to the nuclear fuel and weapons cycles. The sessions provided an accessible overview of uranium enrichment, plutonium production, and the fundamentals of nuclear weapons, followed by case studies on South Africa and Iran that explored how states have pursued nuclear capabilities through covert means. The workshops gave students valuable insight into the technical and policy dimensions of nuclear proliferation and nonproliferation.

A special thank you to Karina Barker (MSFS ’26) for organizing the event in collaboration with the MSFS team!

10/22/2025

Beginning this semester, we launched our new MSFS event series Over The Horizon. The Over the Horizon initiative convenes panels of academic and policy experts in particular sectors to discuss how to redesign and rebuild the architecture of international affairs for the next decade and beyond. The panelists deliberate on three questions: In ten years, what do you expect to see in your sector or area of expertise? What would you like to see? How can we get there?

On September 29, we hosted our first hybrid event on the Future of Development. The elimination of USAID and cutbacks in many European countries' foreign aid are altering the landscape of development assistance. We were joined by Gargee Ghosh (MSFS '00), Gyude Moore (MSFS '09), and Eleni Gabre-Madhin for a discussion moderated by Steven Radelet.

Thank you to our panelists and moderator for your insightful commentary and to all who attended for engaging in a thoughtful discussion!