Message from the New Executive Director

It is with great honor and excitement that I join you as the new Executive Director of the Graduate School of Political Management (GSPM). My connection to this school began in 2021, when I had the privilege of serving as a Fellow. From that moment, I witnessed firsthand the extraordinary talent of our faculty, alumni and students. 

Now, as Executive Director, I am committed to building on that legacy—preparing our students not only to enter politics at the local, state, national and global levels, but also to lead as changemakers who shape institutions of power for the betterment of our country and society.

Everything in my personal and professional journey has led me to this moment at GW. As a first-generation American, I have lived the endless opportunities this nation offers, and it is thanks to the power of education that I am where I am today. My career has spanned elected office, senior White House advisor, academic leadership and international diplomacy. Prior to serving in Congress, I spent more than a decade in higher education at Florida International University, where I led advancement efforts for the College of Health and Urban Affairs before becoming Associate Dean at the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine. Under my leadership, I built the infrastructure needed to launch a medical school campaign that raised close to $100 million to support first-generation medical students, groundbreaking research initiatives and community health programs. Those experiences gave me a profound appreciation for the transformative power of education to expand opportunity and prepare the next generation of leaders.

We find ourselves at a critical time. Higher education faces unprecedented pressures—from economic shifts to volatile political environments—while democracy itself confronts growing challenges around the world. At the same time, the political landscape is being reshaped by AI, social media, digital influencers, 24-hour a day news cycle and increasingly extreme partisanship. At GSPM, we are preparing our students to meet this new reality with the skills, ethics and adaptability that the future demands.

That is why GSPM’s mission has never been more vital. Our school equips leaders who can navigate complexity with integrity, courage and a deep commitment to public service. My vision is to build on GSPM’s strengths, expand its reach, and amplify its impact across sectors, borders and partisan divides. I believe deeply that public service—when guided by purpose and principle—can be a force for opportunity, justice and national renewal.

I invite you to join me in this mission as, together, we prepare the next generation of leaders ready to defend democracy, shape our institutions and serve the public good.

Thank you, 

Email: gspmexecdirectorgwu [dot] edu (gspmexecdirector[at]gwu[dot]edu)