Alumni News

Hea Su Lee (Class of 2020), Communications Manager at the Korean Embassy in the UK, is building a global career in public diplomacy and strategic communications. From leading student media and policy initiatives at Mason Korea to managing national branding campaigns in London, she highlights the power of hands-on experience, global perspective, and proactive leadership.

Haseung (Madeline) Joung (’20, Global Affairs) is currently a Social Media Manager at Asia Society in New York, where she leads digital content and social media strategy for global programming. Her experiences at Mason Korea—from serving as Managing Editor of The Voice to gaining hands-on exposure through international events and internships—helped shape her passion for storytelling and communications. Today, she continues to connect global audiences through impactful content while encouraging students to actively seek diverse experiences and stay open to new opportunities.

As a proud Mason alumna, Jean has maintained a strong connection to the Mason community. Recently, she extended this connection in a meaningful way by welcoming George Mason Korea students as interns at Coty Korea. “At Coty, we recently had the opportunity to host two Mason Korea interns,” Jean says. “I see strong global potential in Mason Korea students, and I wanted to provide them with hands-on experience in how a global company operates.” Through this internship experience, students were able to gain exposure to real business environments, contributing to projects while learning how global brands are managed in a fast-paced, international market. The program reflects Jean’s belief that internships are a critical bridge between academic learning and professional growth.

After switching concentrations, earning her AICPA certification, and graduating with full scholarship support, Chaeyun Kim is now building her accounting career at the largest Korean-American firm in the U.S.

Hye Jin Kim completed all her higher education at George Mason University, earning degrees in History, International Studies, Secondary Education, and Educational Leadership. After returning to Korea, she began her teaching career and eventually became the vice principal at Korea Kent Foreign School, where she has served since 2010. Her intense practicum and academic experiences at GMU laid the foundation for her work in education. She advises students to value the life skills learned at university, as career paths often evolve in unexpected ways. Looking ahead, she hopes to pursue additional credentials to better support diverse learners.

Jayoung Sung (Global Affairs ’22) currently works at Mason Korea as an Administrative Assistant in the Office of Faculty Affairs. Her time as a student—filled with leadership experiences and opportunities to develop soft skills—proved to be transformative and laid a strong foundation for her personal and professional growth. Now, as an alumna and staff member, she finds fulfillment in supporting faculty and contributing to Mason Korea’s continued development. She believes the university’s greatest strength is its “global” spirit, which broadened her perspective and shaped her confidence. Jayoung looks forward to growing together with the Mason Korea community.

Huiyong Kim (Global Affairs ’18) is currently working at the United Nations Office for Sustainable Development, focusing on climate change and sustainable development. His experiences at Mason Korea—from CSPS Korea and research assistantships to internships at WHO CC, UNOSD, and GCF—played a pivotal role in shaping his career path. He encourages current students to seek guidance from faculty and staff and hopes to continue expanding his global expertise in the years ahead.

Ilya Kim (Global Affairs, '23) brought a unique perspective to his studies at George Mason University.

John Leonard earned his Master of Arts in Public Policy from George Mason University in 2006, specializing in International Commerce & Policy. He began his graduate studies while working at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and later served in key leadership roles including CBP Attaché in Singapore and Deputy Executive Assistant Commissioner. His time at Mason, especially the study abroad programs in Mexico and the UK, greatly shaped his professional growth. Now a Senior Advisor at Kim & Chang, he continues to lead in the field of international trade and is currently learning Korean as a personal goal.

Euvin, a 2017 Global Affairs graduate, currently works as a Field HR Coordinator at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Korea. Her time at Mason Korea shaped her interest in cross-cultural collaboration and global issues. After completing a master’s in International Relations, she pursued a career in humanitarian assistance. She encourages students to stay curious, be patient, and explore diverse paths.