1/26/12
Claire Sneed ’96 is a Foreign Affairs Officer with the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations in the U.S. Department of State. Her Randolph-Macon College education helped prepare her for a career that is dynamic, challenging, and ever-changing.
“My professors nurtured my intellectual curiosity,” says Sneed, who majored in
international relations and
French and minored in
political science. “The late Bruce Unger encouraged me to apply for a post-undergrad scholarship,” says Sneed, “and that fellowship placed me with a foreign affairs think tank in Prague, Czech Republic. Michael Fischbach brought
history to life, Aouicha Hilliard and Amy deGraff opened the world of French language and literature to me, and Howard Davis was an inspiration to those of us who had the privilege of participating in the
Honors Program.”
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Sneed met with a Tajik elder while on assignment in the Kyrgyz Republic in 2011. |
During her two-year stint in Prague, Sneed learned Czech, conducted research and organized conferences on Central European integration into NATO and the European Union. “That experience catalyzed my career, and for that I will always be grateful to R-MC,” she says.
As a senior, Sneed held an
internship at the United Nations in New York City. There she conducted
research for her senior thesis on female political and civic leadership in Algeria. R-MC Trustee Dr. Elizabeth Wyatt hosted Sneed in her Brooklyn home.
“I have always been passionate about the role of women as agents of change,” says Sneed. “In my current role with the State Department, I push policy makers to understand problems and find solutions in conflict-affected and transitioning countries through the perspective of local people, particularly women.” Sneed went on to earn her master’s degree from Tufts University’s Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy. Her specialization is in development economics and public international law.
Sneed cherishes her free time—what little she has, that is.
“With the amount of traveling I do, hobbies are hard to maintain, but when I can find the time, I play tennis, go on long bike rides, and enjoy books, plays and films, particularly on topics of history and international intrigue,” she says. Living overseas for many years made it difficult to stay connected to fellow alumni, but she hopes to change that.
“My oldest and dearest friends are from freshman year in Mary Branch dormitory—three of them just traveled to Hawaii to be part of my wedding,” says Sneed, who will soon move to England with her husband. “I try to keep up with my wonderful friends from
Delta Zeta and the Honors Program, and I hope one of these days to even make it to Homecoming!”
Wherever she lives, Sneed carries with her an unmistakable Yellow Jacket pride.
“My advice to current students is simple,” she says. “Don’t be afraid to ask for guidance from the faculty. The professors and staff can be your greatest allies. They have a universe of contacts who can guide and help you to navigate an increasingly difficult job market. There is some truth to ‘it’s who you know,’ so it is never too early to start building your
personal, academic and professional networks. The dedication to students that R-MC professors and staff demonstrate is the school’s greatest asset.”