Fulbright Scholar Alissar Azzam ’26 Accepted to UN Graduate Study Programme
Degree: M.A. in Public Administration
Internships/Fellowships: John D. Solomon Fellow for Public Service, New York City Emergency Management (NYCEM), New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA); New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Operations Assistant and Regional Project Clerk Intern, American Red Cross
Award: Fulbright Scholar
Mentors: Simone Martin-Howard, Ph.D., Associate Professor & Director, MPA Public Policy and Administration; Joseph Mahmud, Adjunct Professor & Program Manager, MPA Program
Hometown: Aley, Lebanon
Career Aspiration: Secretary-General of the United Nations
What was life like before John Jay?
I grew up in Aley, Lebanon, a town in the mountains, 30 minutes outside of Beirut. Lebanon is beautiful. We have a bit of everything: mountains, beaches, Roman ruins, and of course, the city. I live with my parents and three sisters. We’re a very tight-knit family. My parents have always been very supportive of our education, encouraging us girls to do well academically, earn our degrees, and pursue our dreams. Unfortunately, my parents couldn’t finish their own college education because of the Lebanese Civil War, so we are the first to go to college.
Throughout my life, my parents have supported everything I wanted to do, including being an active member of the community. That’s part of the Lebanese culture; we are a very hospitable people, very community- and family-oriented. It’s in our nature to help others, to invite people into our home for food and coffee, and to offer them a place to sit and rest. I am proud to be Lebanese.
At a young age, I began volunteering and joined the Lebanese Red Cross. While studying for my bachelor's degree at the American University of Science and Technology in Beirut, I began working with NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to help provide public resources and services to people across the country. I worked with children and refugees who came to Lebanon following a regional war. Through each volunteer experience, I worked with people who were vulnerable in many different ways—their living conditions, education, and access to resources.
After graduating with my bachelor’s degree, I worked with the local branch of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Lebanon. Then I applied for a Fulbright Scholarship and made my way to John Jay.
Why John Jay?
I came to John Jay through the Fulbright Scholar Program. When it came time to apply to and select a university, I spoke with my Fulbright program advisor, who, after reviewing my profile and goals, recommended a few universities, including John Jay. I researched the College, read student stories, and learned about its many connections to the public service world, policymakers, and changemakers. I knew that at John Jay, I could gain the skills I needed to be a public service leader at the international level. That made John Jay easily my number one choice.
Looking back at my time at the College, I feel grateful. Being an international student at John Jay was such a fulfilling educational experience. During those two years, I learned from experts in the field of emergency management and had the chance to complete internships and fellowships that affirmed my goals and career aspirations. As a John Jay student, I was at the center of it all, making a difference.
What sparked your passion for public policy and international affairs?
I’ve always been community-oriented. In my undergraduate career, I studied international affairs and loved learning about people and culture. Naturally, being from Lebanon, politics have always been of interest to me, so I considered working in policy at the national level. When I began working with the UNDP, my drive to work with the public intensified. I witnessed suffering from around the world, people forced out of their homes, and children struggling to survive. I also saw how a little thing can make a big difference in someone’s life. I’ve always wanted to have an impact, whether big or small, and to make a positive difference in others’ lives.
When the Port of Beirut explosion happened on August 4, 2020, I was in Beirut. At first, I remember thinking it was an earthquake because everything shook. Then, when I went outside, I saw all the chaos. There were shattered windows, destroyed homes and businesses, and injured people bleeding and screaming everywhere. Those images never leave you. I began working with an NGO shortly after. My work focused on helping people find shelter, getting them access to mental health support services, and providing them with donated goods and funds. With each interaction, my desire to serve and help grew stronger.
What made you want to pursue your master’s degree in public administration?
When I spoke with my Fulbright advisor, she recommended that I pursue a degree in public policy and administration because it was better aligned with the work I wanted to do. While reviewing the public administration program, what stood out most to me was its focus on emergency management. I had previously been active in emergency management work while volunteering with the Red Cross in Lebanon, but was excited to learn more about the field. I also felt that pursuing my degree in Public Administration was the perfect way to combine my international affairs background with emergency management and public policy work at the government level. I saw it as a pathway to a truly fulfilling career.
Were there any classes that have been fundamental to your career journey?
I took an Intro to Public Administration and Public Policy course that was instrumental to my understanding of how things worked in New York and the U.S. as a whole. The course provided the history behind the founding of the United States. Part of our required reading focused on the Constitution and the Founding Fathers. As someone who wants to work in public policy and public administration, it’s important for me to know the history and philosophies that are important to the community, city, or region I am working in.
I also found the practical guides and information from my emergency management courses incredibly helpful. We worked with FEMA booklets and the National Response Framework to learn how emergency response efforts should proceed, the protocols in place, which teams respond and when, and what capabilities and tools are available. I can apply the practical skills and knowledge I learned in my emergency management courses anywhere in the world, tailoring them to each new context.
What were your internship and fellowship experiences like?
I learned about the John D. Solomon Fellowship for Public Service through an email from John Jay’s Career Learning Lab. The fellowship program is administered by NYCEM, and I was placed with the Emergency Management and Services Department at the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA). Looking back on the experience, I can say it was one of the highlights of my time in New York because I was able to expand my experience in emergency management and public service by working with different teams at NYCHA and taking on projects throughout the year. I learned a lot about what it takes to keep a city safe, field preparedness, and plans for different hazards and emergencies. I was also involved in developing the Emergency Operations Center Protocol for emergencies affecting NYCHA’s 500,000+ residents. I revised and wrote plans for weather events and disasters, and was tasked with reviewing NYCHA’s Continuity of Operations Plans to ensure compliance with local and federal policies. Beyond that, the internship also afforded me the opportunity to earn my Emergency Management Certification through NYCEM.
My time as an intern with the New York City Mayor’s Office for International Affairs was a wonderful, surreal experience. The office is in the United Nations (UN) headquarters. One of the unique aspects of this internship experience was the opportunity to work under both the Adams and Mamdani Administrations. Throughout the internship, I had an amazing mentor and supervisor. The team I worked with was small but mighty, working with all the missions to the UN in New York, the consulates, diplomats, and the Junior Ambassador’s Program. As an intern, I was involved in a bit of everything. I coordinated events with the international diplomatic and consular community. I conducted outreach to communities across the city to ensure they were aware of the programs and events offered by the Mayor’s Office and New York City agencies. I also helped with communication efforts, researching and drafting briefing memos, press releases, and advisories, and assisting in maintaining the Office’s website and social media channels with the latest information.
Do you have a favorite internship moment?
My internship with the Mayor’s Office was located at the UN. This allowed me to attend meetings and conferences there, which was just incredible. I attended the United Nations Economic and Social Council Youth Forum 2026 this past April and participated in the Arab Regional Meeting. I was the only Lebanese in many of the meetings during the forum because others were experiencing visa challenges, so I felt a lot of pressure but also immense pride in representing my country. I had the chance to talk about the wonderful programs in Lebanon that are uplifting people in the region during the current war. It was a moment I will never forget.
What’s next for you and where do you see yourself in 10 years?
I’ll be going to Geneva to attend the UN Graduate Study Programme. I’m excited, as the program is highly selective. Applications open once a year, and only around 50 people from across the world get accepted. I’m the only Lebanese in this year’s cohort, and I believe the only one coming from a college in New York. The experience is an intensive, two-week graduate-level program with classes, workshops, and conversations with representatives from various international organizations and missions. This year’s focus is on AI and Emerging Technologies. I’m really excited about the opportunity to advance my career.
Once the program is completed, I plan to apply for positions at various organizations in Lebanon and Europe, specifically in Geneva or Brussels. My hope is to work within government in a diplomatic capacity in foreign affairs. I have experience working in this capacity in Lebanon and in the U.S. throughout my time in New York, so I’m open to seeing what this work looks like in Europe. Ultimately, my goal is to work at the United Nations, and hopefully, one day become the Secretary-General.
