Vista • Mount Holyoke College • Spring/Summer • Vol. 17 No. 1


Anne Eisenhower ’09: U.S. Department of State
Public Affairs Specialist in the Office of Strategic Planning in the Bureau of Public Affairs
WHAT ARE YOUR DUTIES? I identify and analyze foreign affairs policy information that could have long-term or short-term impact on the department’s communications effort while advancing the goals of the Secretary of State.


WHAT AT MHC STARTED YOU ON THIS CAREER PATH? My advisor, politics professor Penny Gill, encouraged me to pursue my interest in politics and international relations more deeply. I held a U.S. Senate internship in then Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton’s office. After graduation, I was offered a position at the Department of State.


HOW DOES YOUR MHC EDUCATION SERVE YOU ON THE JOB? It carries me through the multifaceted work of diplomacy by providing a strong base of theoretical and practical experiences. As a double major in politics and art history, I’m able to look at problems with both an analytical and cultural eye—both are essential to good diplomacy. MHC taught me to ask “why” and to pull apart an issue or problem and put it back together in a thoughtful and meaningful way.


DID YOU HAVE A ROLE IN THE WPSP LAUNCH? Yes, I worked with the Office of Global Women’s Issues to hone their communications plan, and to effectively communicate the importance of this project.


YOUR ULTIMATE CAREER GOAL? I’d like to continue working with great people on issues that affect vulnerable people around the world. I have been lucky enough to contribute to that work at a young age and know I will carry those experiences with me wherever my career takes me. I have considered running for office, but making that decision now seems a bit premature.

Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8