At the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM) at George Washington University, I had the privilege of leading one of the nation’s foremost graduate institutions for applied politics, advocacy, and public affairs. GSPM’s impact spanned the globe, with 450 graduate students, over 3,000 alumni, 10 full-time faculty, more than 80 adjunct professors, and a dedicated staff of over 20.

During my tenure, we launched two new master’s programs with a strong international focus—including one fully online program taught in Spanish, paired with in-person Washington, D.C., residencies. I also developed and led global residency courses in cities central to international policy and commerce: Beijing, Brussels, Hong Kong, Istanbul, London, São Paulo/Brasília, Seoul, and Tokyo. These immersive experiences gave students firsthand insight into how political strategy and public affairs operate on the world stage.

To position the school for long-term success, I led strategic planning efforts that secured a multi-million-dollar university investment to expand GSPM’s academic reach and technological capabilities. We enhanced digital learning through the development of interactive courses, launched a digital boot camp, and established research programs focused on big data and digital engagement. These efforts helped GSPM stay ahead of rapidly evolving trends in political communication and civic engagement.

In 2015, PRWeek named GSPM’s Strategic Public Relations program the best in the nation—a reflection of our commitment to academic excellence and real-world application. We also surpassed our fundraising goals, more than doubling annual contributions. Throughout this period of growth, we prioritized inclusive excellence—expanding diversity across our senior leadership team while maintaining a relentless focus on talent and qualifications.

My time at GW reinforced my belief in the power of globally engaged, practically focused education—and the importance of preparing principled, effective leaders in politics, policy, and public affairs.