Carrying the Torch: 20th Anniversary Muskie Participants Arrive

The 2012 cohort of Muskie participants arrived to the U.S. this month with a special distinction. These 68 community, business, and government leaders from Eastern Europe and Central Asia are the 20th group of Muskie fellows to begin studies since the program’s inception in 1992.

With diverse backgrounds and plans for the future, the fellows are united by a common interest in building their professional skills through U.S.-based graduate study, community service, and internships. After completing the fellowship, the 2012 cohort will join the nearly 5,000 Muskie program alumni currently leading institutional change and economic growth in the professional sectors where they work.

Addressing the new Muskies, U. S. Department of State’s Chief of the Europe/Eurasia Branch of the Office of Academic Exchanges Mary Ellen Koeing said, “As members of the 20th class of Muskies, you’re part of a legacy that…will endure for many years. Every single year, we hear inspiring stories about what previous Muskies have done, what they’ve achieved, and how they’re leaders within their communities, within their professions, within their countries.”

To keep up with the progress and accomplishments of the 20th Muskie fellow cohort, follow the Muskie program on Twitter and like the Muskie program Facebook fan page. You can read more about the accomplishments of alumni, such as an alumna in Kazakhstan building civil society capacity, an alumnus in Kyrgyzstan using technology to increase government transparency, and more.

“There is no better opportunity to become a better political leader than to become a Muskie fellow. For me policy is about making decisions that make people’s lives better.” - Andry Kruglashov, Ukraine - Georgia State University						“It is a great honor, and a responsibility. I plan to go back to Kazakhstan and direct my skills toward investment projects, focused on public-private partnerships.” - Dina Amrisheva, Kazakhstan - Cornell University

The Edmund S. Muskie Graduate Fellowship Program is a program of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, and is implemented by IREX.