As we begin the semester, we are jumping back into featuring a new staff member across the units in the Office of Instruction each month. This month, we are meeting Lee Lukoff, instructor with the Washington Semester Program. Learn about Lee’s role with WSP, his career path to Washington D.C., and what he enjoys outside of the office.
Q – Can you tell us about your current role and responsibilities with the Washington Semester Program? What does your day to day look like?
A – The best way to describe my day-to-day engagement with the Washington Semester Program is to say that I am a continuous presence for the program in D.C. even though I serve as an Adjunct faculty member in a part-time capacity. In my 9-5 job, I work as a Policy Analyst at the State Department but can often meet with students and program supporters after hours. Since I live in the DC Metro Area, I am almost always just a stone’s throw away from Delta Hall. This allows me to help with student emergencies if they ever arise on a 24/7 basis.
My formal responsibilities are to assist WSP participants before, during, and after their DC Semester experience ends. Before each semester, I help students prepare their resumes and cover letters so that they can put themselves in the best position to find an internship that meets their academic and professional needs. I help our students network with WSP alums in DC and give each student tailored advice as they interview for and consider different internships.
Lee, front right, with Washington Semester Program students from his US Grand Strategy class this past spring.
During the semester, I teach a three-credit course on U.S. Grand Strategy each week. The class mixes U.S. diplomatic history with discussions on contemporary U.S. foreign policy challenges. I teach students about the history of America’s engagement with the world and bring in practitioners I am familiar with from my job at the State Department to serve as guest lecturers that can shed light on their previous experiences in public service. I also organize virtual panels made up of former WSP alums for our virtual seminar series each semester. Since I am always willing to lend a hand to former WSP alums, I maintain regular communication with former students who may need job search assistance or advice on pursuing a graduate degree.
Q – What has your career path been like, and what led you to UGA and WSP?
A – My career path has traversed the nexus between the study and practice of American foreign policy. After graduating from college, I received an internship at the Pentagon, which led me to develop a deep interest in American foreign policy and national security. This passion led me to pursue a master’s degree in international relations from Boston College, where I found out that I enjoy teaching and mentoring students more than I ever imagined I would. In 2014, I jumped at the opportunity to come to UGA and study U.S. foreign policy under the tutelage of Dr. Loch Johnson. At UGA, I authored my dissertation on US foreign policy towards Israel in the 1980s and had the privilege of teaching classes based on my research. As I approached the last year of my Ph.D. studies, I found myself spending quite a bit of my time in Washington using the national archives and interviewing for jobs in the public sector. I heard great things about WSP from both students and colleagues and knew that I wanted to be a part of the program. I then reached out to WSP’s Program Director, Don DeMaria, with a proposal to serve as a Teaching and Program Assistant for a year as I finished writing my dissertation. Thankfully, Don agreed to bring me onto the team, and I have been with WSP now for the past eight years. I can say with pride that my experiences working for WSP have been among the most rewarding professional experiences I’ve had in my life.
Q – Are you working on any new or upcoming programs/projects that you are excited about?
A – I am already in the process of reviewing my syllabus and learning materials for the fall semester. I typically use the summertime to find new books, journal articles, and simulations used by experts in the field. I am really excited about helping the fall cohort find their way in what is currently a rapidly evolving internship market in Washington.
Lee and George out for a walk
Q – What do you like to do outside of the office? Are you involved in any organizations or do you have any favorite hobbies?
A – In my spare time, I enjoy visiting historical sites and museums – my favorite museum that I always recommend is the DC Spy Museum – reading spy novels, playing golf, and following college football. I also enjoy taking my 110-pound Bernese Mountain dog, George, on hikes outdoors.
I’m also a big Star Wars fan, and – this is a controversial take – but I have long believed that Greedo shot first. I don’t think he would’ve been capable of firing a blaster shot after taking a direct hit.
Q – And last, do you have any fun facts that your coworkers might not know about you?
A – I am really interested in men’s fashion and professional dress. A family friend of mine is a tailor, and I learned all about different types of suit jackets, dress shirts, and shoes from an early age. My experience has been that spending a little more on a quality suit that is comfortable will actually save you money over the long term since the higher quality fabrics last longer and are more durable. The brand that touches all of the boxes is for me is Ralph Lauren!