Alumni News

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.

Meet Chiwon Song, a 2021 graduate of GMU Korea who majored in Accounting. He is currently working as a junior consultant at Deloitte Korea. During his time at Mason, he was an active member of the dance club GBounce and cherished performing at campus events. With a strong foundation in both accounting and IT, he now aspires to work at Deloitte U.S., earn a CPA license, and specialize in IP audit.

Dr. Hyun Kyung Oh (Communication, Class of 2016, GMU Fairfax) is a government officer in Korea, leading the External Relations & Communications bureau at the Presidential Commission on Carbon Neutrality and Green Growth. Her doctoral research at Mason focused on political communication and civic engagement. She previously worked in media policy and taught communication at various universities. Today, she plays a key role in climate policy communication both nationally and internationally.

Having arrived in Virginia at the age of 11, Sungho Bae graduated from George Mason with a BS in Business, concentrating in Management Information Systems. He has led a dynamic career as an IT professional, with roles in both the U.S. and Japan at organizations such as SAIC, the National Science Foundation, and Booz Allen Hamilton.

George Mason alumnus Christopher Stokes (B.A. in Sociology & Anthropology, '03), General Manager of Eli Lilly and Company Korea, shared his career journey with over 100 Mason Korea students.