Staff Biographies

David Maxwell, Associate Director
David S. Maxwell is the Associate Director of the Center for Security Studies and the Security Studies Program.

He is a 30-year veteran of the US Army retiring as a Special Forces Colonel, with his final assignment serving on the military faculty teaching national security strategy at the National War College. He spent the majority of his military service overseas with nearly 25 years in Asia, primarily in Korea, Japan, and the Philippines, leading organizations from the SF A-Team to the Joint Special Operations Task Force level.

David holds a bachelor of arts degree in Political Science from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio and Masters of Military Arts and Science degrees from the US Army Command and General Staff College and the School of Advanced Military Studies and a master of science degree in National Security Studies from the National War College of the National Defense University. He is the author of numerous works on Korea, Special Operations, Foreign Internal Defense, Unconventional Warfare and National Security. He and his family reside in Northern Virginia.

Office: LL-05, Mortara Building
Contact: dsm62@georgetown.edu or 202-687-3834

Lauren Covert, Center Administrator
Lauren Covert is the Center Administrator of the Center for Security Studies. She manages the day to day operations of the center, budget and Human Resources matters.

Ms. Covert came to CSS after working for the BMW Center for German and European Studies at Georgetown. She has a broad range of experience from small business to non-profit and a background in international environments including time as an International Parliamentary Scholar in the German Bundestag and involvement with the German-American Chamber of Commerce's Transatlantic Program Alumni Network. Ms. Covert holds a B.A. in German and Business from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky and is currently pursuing her M.B.A. at Georgetown University.

Office: LL-04, Mortara Building
Contact: ltc8@georgetown.edu or 202-687-1624

Melissa Kamin, Academic Counselor
Melissa Kamin is the academic counselor for the Security Studies Program.  She has been with Georgetown since June 2009. Her duties consist of assisting students with registration and enforcing academic policies and procedures, in addition to handling academic programming.

Previously, Ms. Kamin worked as an academic advisor at the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at the University of Maryland.  She has her Bachelor of Arts with High Distinction in Psychology from the University of Michigan and her Master of Arts in Counseling and Personnel Services from the University of Maryland.

Office: LL-13, Mortara Building
Contact: mak237@georgetown.edu or 202-687-0363

Elizabeth Robbins, Assistant Director of Admissions & Careers Officer
Elizabeth Robbins is the Assistant Director of Admissions for the Security Studies Program. She assists the Director of Admissions and works with SSP applicants throughout the application process. In addition to working in admissions, Elizabeth coordinates career-related announcements and events for students in the SSP and works closely with the staff of the SFS Career Development Center. 

Prior to coming to Georgetown, Elizabeth worked for a small non-profit organization supporting cancer research and clinical care in the Middle East. She also worked for the Office of Undergradute Admissions and the Department of International Studies at Boston College, from which she received her B.A. in International Studies in 2009. Elizabeth is currently working on her M.A. in Liberal Studies from Georgetown. 

Office: LL-09, Mortara Building
Contact: emr65@georgetown.edu or 202-687-0436

Laura Soerensson, Coordinator of Curricular and Student Affairs
Laura Soerensson is the coordinator of curricular and student affairs for the Security Studies Program. Her responsibilities include supporting core and adjunct faculty with class scheduling and course planning. In addition, she assists with student advising, registration, co-curricular planning and managing student workshops.

Before coming to Georgetown, Ms. Soerensson was the assistant director of MBA admissions at The College of William & Mary. She has also worked as a data manager at William & Mary’s School of Education. Laura lived abroad for over 13 years, with periods of residence in Germany, France, Sweden, and Colombia. Her international experience includes a one year internship with the American Consulate in Stuttgart, Germany. She has her B.A. in Communications from Baruch College and her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from The College of William & Mary.

Office: LL-02, Mortara Building
Contact: les101@georgetown.edu or 202-687-0965

Tiffany Swanson, Director of Admissions
Tiffany Swanson is the Director of Admissions for the Security Studies Program.  She works with all SSP applicants from the time they first contact the program for information to their arrival on campus for orientation.  Students should contact Ms. Swanson with updates about their experiences in the program and any suggestions they may have for recruitment initiatives for future classes.

Before coming to Georgetown in the summer of 1999, Ms. Swanson was the Outreach Specialist for the Fulbright Teacher Exchange Program, and the Admissions Manager for a nationwide English as a Second Language (ESL) company.  She has also worked at the Department of State and the Center for Defense Information.  Ms. Swanson received degrees in International Studies and Spanish from Bradley University in 1993 and her M.A. in Liberal Studies from Georgetown University in 2005.

Office: LL-07, Mortara Building
Contact: ts3@georgetown.edu or 202-687-4903

Dmitriy Zakharov, Outreach Coordinator
Dmitriy Zakharov is the Outreach Coordinator for the Center for Security Studies.  He is responsible for organizing CSS events and coordinating the center's outreach activities to alumni and other interested parties.

Mr. Zakharov previously served as an Information Officer at Georgetown's Office of Undergraduate Admissions.  He completed the accelerated BSFS/MA program of the Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service in 2009, receiving his Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service with a major in International Politics and his Master of Arts in Security Studies with a concentration in International Security.

Office: LL-08, Mortara Building
Contact: dsz2@georgetown.edu or 202-687-7981