On September 13th, Dr. Ionuț Popescu moderated a meeting between TXST students and the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Nonproliferation Policy, Ms. Ann Ganzer. The high-ranking foreign policy officials shared her experiences working with other countries to stop the spread of nuclear, biological and chemical weapons around the world. A career diplomat, Ms. Ganzer explained for our students in detail how the United States conducts diplomatic efforts in places such as the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency. She also offered career advice on how to join the State Department, as well as how to prepare for the foreign service exam. The meeting was co-organized with the Center for International Studies, and it allowed about 25 students from both majors to network with Ms. Ganzer and Mr. Scott Reese, another diplomat present at the event.
Kyle Turner, a graduate student interested in a career in government, remarked how “she was very helpful in better understanding the diplomatic corps’ daily routine and life, as well insightful with regards to the civil service opportunities in the State Department’s Washington headquarters.” Student attendee, Jordyn McClinton, stated “hearing experienced individuals speak on their path to working in the state department was enlightening” and “helped me step back and consider my goals with my degree after graduation.” McClinton remarked how Ms. Ganzer was “very personable, and even stayed after to answer individual’s questions, allowing us to hear about how we, individually, can make it to the State Department.”
