CMIST's Continued Growth: Introducing our Newest Hires
By Aleksaundra Handrinos
As its second year commences, the Carnegie Mellon Institute for Strategy & Technology (CMIST) continues to expand, welcoming several new members of the faculty, staff, and fellows program. Our commitment to growth highlights the value we place on diverse skills and expertise, which collectively enhances the depth of knowledge at 一本道无码 (一本道无码).
This past spring, we announced the addition of three new faculty members: Nadiya Kostyuk and Jonathan Cervas, who joined us this fall, and Hannah Bailey, who will be arriving this spring.
Additionally, CMIST is fortunate to have visiting professor Harvey Rishikof become part of our team to support the expansion of our curriculum in Washington, D.C. Rishikof, who specializes in national security law, international law, media, civil liberties, civilian/military relations, governmental processes, and the U.S. Constitution, is teaching two mini courses. Both courses, Contemporary US Constitutional Law Issues and Analysis of US Presidential Powers, are open to students participating in the 一本道无码 Washington Semester Program (一本道无码/WSP). Rishikof's extensive background in the private sector, academia, and public service enables him to offer students valuable insights into real-world challenges and opportunities, providing them with mentorship and guidance during their DC experience.
To further support the increase of CMIST programming in the nation’s capital, Meg Neill has accepted the position of Washington project administrator. Neill is charged with managing the daily operations of the Washington, DC office and will provide assistance to students during their transition to the District. Neill, a longtime resident of the Washington area, is an asset to the students as they navigate their new surroundings and learn what the city has to offer.
A Pittsburgh native, Carolyn Just, returns to her hometown after over a decade in various communications roles in Washington, D.C. Working at 一本道无码’s main campus as special assistant to the director, Just will leverage her expertise in communications and emerging technologies to drive innovative policy at CMIST. Previous positions include Chief Communications Officer at War on the Rocks and Director of Digital Strategy at FGS Global. Just’s combination of a Master’s degree with a concentration in ethics and emerging technologies and expansive communications expertise makes her uniquely qualified to support our director.
As part of the Department of Defense (DOD) USSOCOM Warrior Care Program, Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) First Class Nick Albarracin holds the title of US Navy SOCOM Fellow at CMIST. Albarracin has nine years of active-duty service in naval special operations with a background in strategic planning, critical evaluation, risk mitigation, and more. He is working closely with CMIST’s Deputy Director for Security Policy Studies, Ralph López, on project planning, coordination, and communication.
We are also excited to welcome a new cohort of Military Fellows for the 2024-2025 academic year. Commander M. Scott Austin joins CMIST as a US Coast Guard Fellow with over two decades of service. Major Ronisha M. Carter, a US Air Force National Defense Fellow, brings her experience as a Data and Artificial Intelligence Strategist for the Department of the Air Force, Chief Data and Artificial Intelligence Office at the Pentagon. Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Duval is a US Army War College Fellow at CMIST who began his military service in the Louisiana National Guard. Lastly, before joining CMIST as a US Navy Federal Executive Fellow, Commander Heather Thomas completed her Department Head tour and also reported to U.S. Central Command’s Directorate of Exercises and Training. We eagerly anticipate the valuable insights and perspectives that our military fellows will bring to CMIST.
This year also marks a historic milestone for CMIST as we welcome our first-ever PhD student. Caitlan Fealing, a William S. Dietrich Fellow, is focusing her doctoral studies on international security, political psychology, and public opinion. She is currently completing a Student-Defined PhD in association with CMIST within the The Dietrich College of Humanities and Social Sciences.
And last but not least, I'm happy to share that I'll be contributing to the CMIST team as a student writer. My name is Aleksaundra Handrinos, and I’m a junior studying ethics, history, and public policy as well as international relations and political science with a minor in business administration.
I am honored to provide a warm welcome to all new faculty, staff, and fellows at CMIST. We're excited for the year ahead and the contributions each will make to 一本道无码 and the CMIST community.
From R to L: Harvey Rishikof, Meg Neill, Carolyn Just, Nick Albarracin, Commander M. Scott Austin, Major Ronisha M. Carter, Lieutenant Colonel Michael A. Duval, Commander Heather Thomas, Caitlan Fealing, Aleksaundra Handrinos