GW: Tell us about what you are doing now and why it matters to you?
JA: I currently serve at the U.S. Department of State in the Office of Counterintelligence, where I help identify, assess, and mitigate potential threats to U.S. national security and protect the integrity of our diplomatic mission.
This work matters to me because it allows me to continue serving – something that has been central to
my life since my eight years of service as a U.S. Army Interrogator and Strategic Debriefer. The mission may look different now, but the sense of purpose remains the same: helping protect our country and the people who represent it around the world.
What motivates me most is knowing that the work I do, even behind the scenes, contributes to something greater than myself. Every day presents an opportunity to strengthen national security and support the United States’ diplomatic efforts through responsible, informed intelligence.
GW: How did the Elliott School influence your professional choices and successes?
JA: The Elliott School played a pivotal role in shaping both my professional direction and my success in the intelligence field. My military service in the U.S. Army provided a strong foundation, but the Security Policy Studies (SPS) Program, with concentrations in Nuclear Policy and Transnational Security, helped me connect that experience to broader strategic and policy frameworks.
Through an internship I gained via the Elliott School with the National Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism (START) at the University of Maryland, I served as the Terrorist Organizations Project Team Lead Analyst in partnership with the Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism. That hands-on experience at the intersection of research and policy further solidified my passion for intelligence work.
Serving as the Director of Veteran Student Affairs in student government at GW also strengthened my leadership and sense of public service, reinforcing my desire to continue serving in a meaningful capacity. Together, these experiences guided my path to the Department of State, where I began in the Office of Intelligence and Threat Analysis and now serve in the Office of Counterintelligence.
GW: What drew you to GW and the Elliott School for your graduate studies?
JA: What initially drew me to GW and the Elliott School was the prestige and reputation the school holds in the field of international affairs. After serving in the military, I knew I wanted to build on that experience by deepening my understanding of the political, cultural, and historical dynamics that shape the world. I wanted to study in an environment where global issues weren’t just discussed in the classroom, but experienced firsthand, and GW offered exactly that.
The Elliott School’s professors and academics are true subject matter experts; many of whom have directly influenced the fields I aspired to enter. Their real-world experience and insight made the coursework not only relevant, but directly connected to my future goals.
Equally important was the location. Being in the heart of Washington D.C. provided an incredible opportunity to engage with professionals working in international affairs, diplomacy, and public service. Those connections, along with exposure to perspectives in fields that didn’t always directly align with my own, helped expand my understanding of how different disciplines intersect, ultimately deepening my knowledge and shaping the path I’ve taken from military service to my career at the Department of State.
GW: Are there particular GW classes and professors who stand out in your mind? Who helped you on your current career trajectory?
JA: I genuinely enjoyed every class I took in the SPS Program. Each course offered a unique perspective, and I was very deliberate in building my schedule so the classes complemented one another and filled any knowledge gaps I had.
The field of intelligence is incredibly broad and often abstract, so developing a strong, well-rounded foundation was essential. Courses on nuclear strategy, illicit finance and security, cybersecurity, and soft skills like negotiation, all helped me understand how interconnected global threats really are and strengthened the analytical base I needed for my career.
There wasn’t a single person who shaped my path. A lot of it came from my own drive and sense of direction. I knew where I wanted to go and what needed to be done to get there, and the Elliott School provided the environment and expertise to make that possible. That foundation continues to guide my work today at the Department of State.
GW: What would you say to current Elliott School students who want to make a positive difference in the world?
JA: I would encourage students not to simply follow the crowd, but to be themselves and stay true to what genuinely excites and motivates them. It’s easy to get swept up in what others are doing, but the people who make the biggest difference are often the ones who take their own path and pursue it with conviction.
Take the time to do your own research and explore the issues or areas that matter most to you. You’ll uncover insights and opportunities that can help propel you toward your goals. And once you find what drives you, follow through. Passion is important, but persistence and curiosity are what ultimately turn good intentions into real impact.