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

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

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Georgetown’s MSFS program prepares ethical leaders for global service. 💙🩶

09/03/2026

Two weeks ago, we welcomed the MSFS Class of 2028 to the Hilltop! 🎓🌍 From icebreakers to info sessions, orientation was the perfect kickoff to what’s ahead: new classmates, mentors, and a community spanning continents and disciplines. So glad to have you all as part of the MSFS family. Welcome, Hoyas! 💙🩶

08/10/2026

🌎 Meet the MSFS Practitioners in Residence!

As we prepare for a new academic year, the MSFS program is excited to welcome our Practitioners in Residence (PiRs) — accomplished international affairs professionals who bring their expertise and experience directly to our students.

This year’s Practitioners in Residence are:
• John Graham — Principal Industry Specialist at the International Finance Corporation, bringing expertise from the international development and private sectors on sustainable infrastructure.
• Juan Manuel Escalante — Ecuadorian professional diplomat with extensive experience in foreign affairs and international economic law and trade negotiations.
• Matthew McManus — Georgetown University adjunct professor with a background in U.S. foreign policy and energy diplomacy
• Mercedes Fitchett — National security expert with extensive experience working at the intersection of security, policy, and emerging technologies.
• Mercy Tembon — Former Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the World Bank Group, with decades of experience in international development and global leadership.

Throughout the year, our PiRs will mentor MSFS students, share career guidance, lead seminars, and offer insights drawn from their distinguished careers. Through these connections, students gain valuable perspectives on careers and leadership across the public, private, and nonprofit sectors.

We look forward to welcoming our PiRs back to the MSFS community and to another year of mentorship, learning, and professional development!

06/04/2026

🌏 Building global connections in Indonesia!

This week, MSFS Director George Shambaugh and Georgetown University’s Director of Asian Studies, Yuhki Tajima, visited the University of Indonesia to meet with faculty and explore opportunities for collaboration.

During his visit, Director Shambaugh also spent time at Georgetown University’s campus in Jakarta, connecting with members of the Georgetown community and highlighting the university’s growing presence in the region.

We’re excited to continue building relationships with leading institutions around the world and creating new opportunities for global learning and exchange.

06/02/2026

Alumni Weekend is always a favorite. So wonderful to gather MSFS alumni from across generations this weekend for our annual picnic - good food, great conversations, and plenty of Hoya spirit to go around. Thank you to everyone who came back to the Hilltop. 🌿💙

05/21/2026

Congratulations to the Georgetown MSFS Class of 2026! 🎓

This year’s Tropaia ceremony was a meaningful celebration of our graduating students, their achievements, and the community they have built throughout their time in MSFS.

We were honored to hear reflections from student speakers Mia Douglas and Munahil Sultana, as well as from alumni speaker Kaia Miller Goldstein (MSFS ’94), whose remarks connected this year’s graduates to the broader MSFS community and legacy.

The ceremony also recognized our MSFS Reps and student representatives of the Community in Diversity Committee with medals. Congratulations as well to Lily Nguyen, recipient of the MSFS Service Award, and Pavlo Zvenyhorodskyi, recipient of the Eileen Shields-West Award.

We are so proud of the Class of 2026 and excited to see the many ways they will lead, serve, and shape the world beyond the Hilltop.

05/14/2026

🎓Tropaia is tonight at 7:00 PM EST!

Please join us in congratulating the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 by tuning in to our Zoom livestream. 🔗 The link is in the description. We hope to see you there!

05/13/2026

📚 As MSFS students wrapped up classes and headed into finals, April on the Hilltop still made room for thoughtful conversations on diplomacy, security, strategy, and global affairs. Here’s a look back at some of the events that rounded out the month:

1️⃣ On April 7, MSFS hosted an off-the-record panel with Ambassador of Denmark Jesper Møller Sørensen and Greenlandic Representative Jacob Isbosethsen on the Arctic and transatlantic security.

2️⃣ On April 9, MSFS welcomed prospective students to campus for Admitted Students Day 2026, giving them a chance to experience the Hilltop community and learn more about life in the program.

3️⃣ On April 15, Dr. Vivian Walker and Dr. Mercy Tembon led a joint Practitioner in Residence session on diplomacy and development in a changing world, reflecting on soft power, trust, and adaptation in fragile environments.

4️⃣ On April 16, MSFS hosted its latest Over the Horizon event on the future of Iran, with panelists exploring the country’s trajectory and its wider implications for the Middle East over the coming decade.

5️⃣ On April 21, Paul Amato joined MSFS for a discussion on the 2022 Nuclear Posture Review and how high-level policy is translated into U.S. nuclear planning.

6️⃣ On April 21, Juan Manuel Escalante, MSFS ’98, spoke with students about transnational criminal organizations in Latin America and the policy challenges involved in responding to them.

7️⃣ On April 30, the MSFS Alumni Board returned to campus for its spring meeting and joined students for a trivia night, closing out the month with a chance for connection and community before finals.

Thank you to our speakers, alumni, faculty, students, admitted students, and partners for making April such a meaningful close to the semester.

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 🌍

Address

3700 O Street NW
Washington D.C., DC
20057

Telephone

+12026875763

Website

http://msfs.georgetown.edu/

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