Carolyn Adkins
Carolyn Adkins is an M.A. candidate in International Affairs Policy and Analysis at American University, specializing in Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). She currently serves as a Project Intern at Hunt Alternatives under the leadership of former Ambassador Swanee Hunt, where she conducts research on women leaders from conflict-affected regions, supports national action plans, and contributes to initiatives that advance women’s inclusion in governance and peacebuilding. Carolyn also holds leadership roles as Director of Publications and Research for the Student Consortium on Women, Peace, and Security and as Vice President of Strategic Outreach for Kogod Women in Business, reflecting her commitment to fostering scholarship, mentorship, and professional development among emerging leaders.
Her prior experience includes research at the Center for European Union Studies, focusing on women’s rights within ethnic minority communities and civilian drone policy, as well as an internship with the U.S. Department of Defense, where she strengthened her analytical, administrative, and problem-solving skills in a national security environment. Carolyn is proficient in R statistical software, with experience in both qualitative and quantitative research design, enabling her to produce evidence-based policy recommendations across national and human security domains. Her work is grounded in a strong academic foundation in political science and history from Virginia Tech, complemented by applied experience in government and nonprofit settings.
Carolyn’s professional and academic pursuits are guided by a passion for bridging gaps between national and human security while advancing gender-focused policy solutions. She actively engages in global dialogues on diplomacy, human rights, and WPS frameworks, attending conferences and events that highlight women’s leadership, international cooperation, and human security challenges. Through her research, publications, and professional contributions, Carolyn is dedicated to amplifying the voices of women in conflict-affected regions and supporting policies that foster sustainable, inclusive peace.
• Emergency Management Certificate of Completion
• IC CAE Certificate of Completion 2024-2025
• IC CAE Certificate of Completion 2023-2024
• Virginia Tech - BA Pol. Sci
• Women in International Security (WIIS)
• Hunt Alternatives
• Women's Foreign Policy Group
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to a commitment to understanding how women shape peace, security, and political systems often without credit, resources, or visibility. This focus on Women, Peace, and Security (WPS), grounded in UN Security Council Resolution 1325, has guided every academic and professional decision I have made, from graduate study to my current internship at Hunt Alternatives, the foundation founded by Ambassador Swanee Hunt. At Hunt Alternatives, I research women leaders from conflict-affected regions, support national action plans that operationalize WPS commitments, and help expand access to technology and training for women on the frontlines of peacebuilding. I have been honored with the responsibility of identifying and interviewing nine distinguished leaders from underserved communities for Ambassador Hunt’s monthly “Connecting Once Again” calls, a process that required writing in real time to meet her exacting standards. In parallel, I remain engaged with Women in International Security (WIIS), a Washington, D.C.–based nonprofit advancing women’s leadership in foreign policy and global security, reinforcing what I have learned repeatedly: when women are meaningfully included in political and security decision-making, outcomes improve not only for women, but for societies as a whole. My goals remain grounded in supporting policies that integrate women and youth into political processes, elevating stories from conflict-affected regions with accuracy and respect, and learning from the leaders who have come before me, because lasting peace is built through sustained inclusion, research, and leadership.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
I have been fortunate to learn from mentors who model both rigor and humanity. Professor Sabrina Harris of Bucknell University has shaped my academic grounding in Women, Peace, and Security, while Sasha Zieger a marketing professional and published author has helped me refine how I tell these stories responsibly and powerfully. Their guidance has underscored an important truth: impact is amplified when knowledge meets clear communication.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is to seek mentorship, build networks, and embrace collaboration, because progress is never achieved alone it is built through shared knowledge and support. It is essential to empower youth and cultivate resilience, particularly as women navigating a field where opportunities can sometimes be limited. Above all, I encourage young women to remain committed to advancing policies and practices that recognize women not just as participants in peace and security, but as drivers of lasting change.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Some of the biggest challenges that Women, Peace, and Security faces are the funding cuts from the federal government.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
I am guided by the belief that peace is strongest when women are not brought into conversations as an afterthought, but trusted as leaders shaping solutions from the start. My work is rooted in inclusion, research, and accountability, because sustainable security depends on who is given access to power and whose voices are valued. I have seen how women from conflict-affected communities, when given resources and a platform, redefine leadership in ways that are both practical and transformative.