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 usually opens in March.
Global Ambassadors cohorts
Brief Profiles of the New Cohort of Global Ambassadors, 2023-2024
Nicole Bravo Guibao is a junior, majoring in Public Health with a double minor in Business in Spanish and Health Informatics. She is passionate about utilizing health-related technologies in the public health sector, particularly internationally. Her academic interests lie in global health and international work. After graduation, she aspires to work at a global health organization such as WHO or CDC, focusing on implementing innovative solutions to improve public health outcomes worldwide.
Cadence Gillaspie is a senior double majoring in Public Health with a concentration in Global Health and Political Science with a concentration in Public Policy and minoring in Communication. She is interested in pursuing a Master’s in Public Health in global health policy after graduating from the College of Charleston and hopes to pursue a career with the World Health Organization.
Sydney Jackson is a rising senior majoring in Political Science and International Studies with a focus on US-China, Southeast Asia, and intelligence/security affairs. She has a strong command of the Mandarin Chinese language and a firm cultural understanding. Most recently, Jackson participated in the Department of States Paid Internship Program in Washington DC. After graduation, she hopes to pursue a degree in International Law and continue working towards her long-term goal of becoming an ambassador.
Kirti Laxmi Reddy is a sophomore double majoring in International Studies and Political Science in the Honors College. Her interest in becoming a Global Ambassador stems from her travels to Bangalore, India, where she leveraged her Kannada speaking skills. She is interested in studying the dynamics of community interactions, specifically exploring diplomatic strategies to mitigate cultural conflicts. After graduation, she will continue her education by pursuing a master’s or law degree.
Alexis Richter is a rising junior majoring in International Studies and Political Science with a minor in Spanish. She is interested in international human rights and hopes to pursue a career in foreign service or working for an NGO.
Maeve Ridings is a senior double majoring in International Studies and Economics in the Honors College. She is interested in refugee displacement and conflict management, specifically regarding economic disparities in countries with significant diasporic populations. She hopes to work with a resettlement agency or the State Department to address these crises.
Caroline Smith is a rising sophomore in the Honors College triple majoring in Political Science, German Studies, and International Studies. She is interested in international relations pertaining to Europe and has been studying German for five years. With interests in the efficacy of the United Nations as well as environmentally-related issues, Caroline hopes to further study international relations and pursue a career in foreign service following graduation.
Piper Walrad is a junior in the Honors College double majoring in International Studies and Environmental Studies with a minor in Spanish. Piper is a member of the Bonner Leader Program and has led a community-based service trip abroad focused on the effects of tourism on environmental and cultural sustainability. She is interested in international work surrounding sustainable development and environmental conservation.
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 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 Belgium 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 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