Global Ambassadors Program is a professional development program offering mentoring, extracurricular and international experiential learning designed for students interested in careers with internationally-oriented service organizations, including civil service and Foreign Service. This program creates opportunities for interactions between the students and foreign service officers, civil servants, diplomats, and distinguished professionals in internationally-oriented organizations working on global challenges.
Throughout the year, students learn about foreign policy, foreign service, and its challenges and opportunities. They participate in advising, mentoring, and discussion sessions, interact with former and current foreign service officers. The program is directed by Dr. Max Kovalov, the Bennett Director of the Mroz Global Leadership Institute.
Application Process
Interested in joining the Global Ambassadors Program? Check out program requirements. The annual application opens in February.
Global Ambassadors cohorts
Brief Profiles of the New Cohort of Global Ambassadors, 2025-2026
Rhys Baker is a sophomore majoring in Political Science and International Studies, with a concentration in Global Studies. He is interested in international politics and alternative forms of governance. Rhys hopes to pursue a career in international affairs.
Jake Castino is a rising senior double majoring in International Studies, with a concentration in Global Studies, and History, and minoring in Education. He has studied history and international relations in Athens, Greece, and plans to pursue additional international study and work opportunities. Jake is interested in a career in foreign service, potentially through an NGO, the U.S. Department of State, a diplomatic role, or a related pathway.
Lauren Ferhat is a junior double majoring in International Studies and Spanish, with a concentration in Latin America and the Caribbean and a minor in Leadership for Sustainability. She has studied alongside students in both Iceland and Cuba. Lauren is passionate about community-led international development and plans to work abroad with a B Corp–certified organization.
Samantha Goldfrank is a rising sophomore in the Honors College, working toward a dual degree in Economics and Political Science, with a concentration in Politics, Philosophy, and Law, and a certificate in Global Leadership. She is interested in international law, foreign agreements and trade, and the mitigation of cultural tensions across borders. After graduation, Samantha hopes to pursue a Ph.D. in foreign policy or international relations.
Lucas Guyton is a rising senior in the Honors College, double majoring in History and Political Science with a concentration in Politics, Philosophy, and Law (PPLW). He has a strong interest in international law and multilateral organizations. Lucas has participated in Model U.N., Model O.A.S., and Model A.U., and has studied history in London and Edinburgh. He also serves on the Honor Board and plans to pursue a J.D. to become an international lawyer.
Jorja Jersek is a junior in the Honors College, double majoring in Public Health and Biology on the pre-medical track. With a strong interest in global health, she plans to pursue both a Master’s in Public Health and a medical degree. Jorja aspires to practice medicine while consulting for international health organizations to address global health challenges and shape policy.
Annie Sylvester is a senior in the Honors College majoring in International Studies, with a concentration in Global Studies, and minoring in Political Science and Spanish. She studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, where she developed a passion for language learning. Annie is interested in international migration policy in the Mediterranean region and hopes to pursue a career in foreign service.
Field Trip to Washington DC
Every March, Global Ambassadors travel to Washington, D.C. for a week-long field trip. During the field trip, the students visit embassies, international organizations, think-tanks, and the State Department to network and learn about international service careers. In the past years, the previous cohorts of Global Ambassadors visited the following organizations and agencies:
- US Department of State. We met with civil service and foreign service officers for conversations about foreign service, international careers, and professional development.
- The Embassy of Germany. We met with the Defense Navy attaché, Admiral Ristau, for a conversation about German foreign policy and the work of the embassy.
- The Swiss Embassy to the US. We met with Ambassador Jacques Pitteloud for a discussion about Swiss foreign policy, interests, and neutrality at the Embassy of Switzerland.
- The Belgian Embassy.
- Delegation of the European Union to the US. We met with Deniz Houston, digital policy analyst for a conversation about the EU and foreign policy environment skills.
- National Endowment for Democracy. We met with Anne Tsai-Bennett, NED President’s Chief of Staff and colleagues for discussions about NED’s grant programs and careers with think-tanks in DC.
- Stimson Center. We met with Bryan Finlay, President and CEO of Stimson Center, and his colleagues for conversations about career opportunities in Washington, DC, the think tank environment, and Stimson’s programs.
- Center for Strategic and International Studies, the Americas Program. We had a discussion about Latin America, foreign policy, and CSIS projects with Dr. Ryan Berg, Director for the Americas Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.
- World Food Program-USA. We met with Rebecca Middleton (Chief Advocacy and Engagement Officer, UN Food Program-USA) and Randy Russell (President of The Russell Group) for a discussion of food and agriculture policy and global food challenges addressed by the UN Food Program.
- National Guard Bureau and the Pentagon. We met with General Slaten for a discussion about the National Guard State Partnership Program and General Hokanson, the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.
- The White House
- The Capitol
- Human Rights Watch, visit with HRW Director Jose Miguel Vivanco
- Der Spiegel
- Observer Research Foundation (ORF) America
- US Agency for International Development (USAID)
Global Ambassadors during the field trip to Washington DC, March 2023
At the State Department with CofC alums Diane Price and MaryAnn Robinson, March 2022
Discussion about careers in think-tanks with Brian Finlay and his team at Stimson Center, 2023
Global Ambassadors at the White House, 2023
Visiting the National Guard Bureau at the Pentagon for a discussion about State Partnerships, 2023
At the EU Delegation to the US during a meeting with CofC Alum Deniz Houston
Meeting with Admiral Axel Ristau, Defense and Navy Attache at the German Embassy
Visiting Chief Correspondent of Der Spiegel Roland Nelles, 2022
At Ethiopian restaurant