Key Takeaways
- Eyerusalem Cheney (SSP’26) used the Security Studies Program at Georgetown’s Walsh School of Foreign Service to expand her academic horizons beyond traditional security topics.
- She discovered a passion for cyber threat intelligence, a field that blends technical analysis with strategic policy considerations.
- Faculty mentorship played a crucial role in guiding her toward new skill sets and opening doors to internships and research opportunities.
- Active participation in on‑campus events, student organizations, and speaker series helped her cultivate a diverse network of peers and practitioners.
- Cheney’s personal philosophy—prioritizing people over achievements—shapes both her interpersonal interactions and her professional aspirations.
- The program’s interdisciplinary curriculum and experiential learning components are preparing her for a potential career in the U.S. Foreign Service.
- Reflecting on her time on the Hilltop, she emphasizes the value of embracing multiple perspectives to tackle complex global security challenges.
Introduction: A Journey into Global Security
Eyerusalem Cheney entered Georgetown University’s Security Studies Program (SSP) with a broad curiosity about how nations interact, protect their citizens, and respond to emerging threats. Over the course of her studies, she found that the program’s flexible structure allowed her to move beyond conventional topics such as military strategy and diplomacy, venturing into newer domains like cybersecurity and information warfare. This openness to exploration became a hallmark of her SSP experience, setting the stage for both academic growth and personal development.
Academic Foundations: Building a Security Studies Toolkit
The core curriculum of the SSP provided Cheney with a solid grounding in international relations theory, conflict analysis, and risk assessment. Courses such as “Strategic Studies” and “Intelligence and National Security” equipped her with analytical frameworks for evaluating state and non‑state actors. These classes emphasized rigorous research methods, critical thinking, and the ability to synthesize disparate sources of information—skills that proved invaluable as she began to specialize in cyber threat intelligence.
Discovering Cyber Threat Intelligence: A New Passion
During her sophomore year, Cheney enrolled in an elective on cybersecurity policy, which sparked a fascination with the intersection of technology and security. She realized that cyber threat intelligence involves not only identifying malware and intrusion patterns but also understanding the geopolitical motivations behind cyber operations. This realization prompted her to pursue additional coursework in computer science fundamentals, data analysis, and information warfare, thereby crafting an interdisciplinary skill set that bridges technical expertise with policy relevance.
Extracurricular Engagement: Learning Beyond the Classroom
Cheney complemented her formal education by actively participating in a range of on‑campus activities. She joined the Georgetown Cybersecurity Club, attended speaker series hosted by the Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, and volunteered at events organized by the Security Studies Program’s student council. These experiences exposed her to practitioners from government agencies, private‑sector firms, and non‑governmental organizations, enriching her understanding of how cyber threats are monitored, mitigated, and communicated across sectors.
Faculty Mentorship: Guiding Intellectual Growth
A pivotal aspect of Cheney’s SSP journey has been the mentorship she received from professors who recognized her budding interest in cyber issues. Faculty members such as Dr. Mara Revkin and Professor Christopher Kafka offered tailored advice on research projects, recommended relevant literature, and connected her with internship opportunities at think tanks and federal agencies. Their encouragement helped her transform curiosity into concrete scholarly work, including a capstone paper that examined state‑sponsored cyber espionage campaigns targeting critical infrastructure.
Research and Practical Application: Bridging Theory and Practice
Through a summer research fellowship, Cheney worked with a cybersecurity firm to analyze threat‑intelligence feeds, developing dashboards that visualized emerging ransomware trends for policymakers. This hands‑on project required her to translate technical data into concise briefings, a skill that underscored the importance of clear communication in security professions. The experience reinforced her belief that effective cyber threat intelligence must be both analytically rigorous and accessible to decision‑makers who may lack deep technical backgrounds.
Personal Philosophy: People First
Cheney often reflects on a guiding principle she tries to live by: “prioritizing people over things and achievements.” This mindset influences how she engages with classmates, professors, and strangers alike, fostering a culture of empathy and collaboration. In her view, security work—whether defending networks or shaping foreign policy—ultimately serves to protect human dignity and well‑being. By keeping this focus, she aims to ensure that her professional contributions remain grounded in the real‑world impact on individuals and communities.
Preparation for the U.S. Foreign Service: Skills and Outlook
As she approaches graduation, Cheney sees the Security Studies Program as a stepping stone toward a potential career in the U.S. Foreign Service. The program’s emphasis on interdisciplinary analysis, language study, and regional expertise aligns closely with the competencies sought by diplomatic officers. Moreover, her exposure to cyber threat intelligence equips her to address one of the most pressing transnational challenges facing modern diplomacy: the need to navigate state‑sponsored cyber operations, protect critical infrastructure, and promote norms of responsible state behavior in cyberspace.
Future Outlook: Embracing Complexity and Collaboration
Looking ahead, Cheney intends to continue building bridges between technical specialists and policy makers. She hopes to pursue advanced studies or fellowships that deepen her technical knowledge while maintaining a strong grounding in international affairs. Ultimately, she aspires to work in environments where diverse perspectives are valued—whether in an embassy’s economic section, a cybersecurity agency’s policy branch, or a multilateral forum addressing digital norms. By staying true to her people‑first ethos and leveraging the multidisciplinary training she received at Georgetown, she aims to contribute meaningfully to the evolving landscape of global security.