The 12 fellows in the 2024-2025 cohort of Humphrey Fellows at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs come to Syracuse University with diverse backgrounds and a range of academic interests.

Two of the fellows, Güler Ünlü of the Republic of Türkiye and Hyeonjee Lee of the Republic of Korea, represent that diversity. They, along with the other select Humphrey Fellows, are spending 10 months at the Maxwell School participating in graduate study, professional development and cultural exchange.

The program is led by Margaret Lane, assistant director of Executive Education. “Humphrey Fellows bring a wealth of knowledge and breadth of experience,” she states. “They engage with faculty, professionals and community members that create impact beyond their time as fellows.” This is evidenced by the accomplishments of previous fellows, both in their home countries and in the thriving connections they maintain with the Maxwell community.

Güler Ünlü and Hyeonjee Lee are representative of the professional expertise and goals typical of Humphrey fellows.

Güler Ünlü 

Ünlü’s professional background centers on public service, with emphasis on ensuring food security and maintaining price stability for staple commodities. She currently serves as section manager of the Foreign Affairs and Market Analysis Department at the Turkish Grain Board, overseeing market analyses and contributing to the formulation of policy recommendations at the national level.

 

Additionally, Ünlü’s role involves representing her institution in various national and international platforms. She holds a Ph.D. in political science and public administration and contributes to scholarly research and policy analysis.

“This dual focus on public administration and academia has provided me with a comprehensive perspective, allowing me to view my field more holistically,” Ünlü says. “It has enabled me to understand the complexities of policymaking while maintaining a strong connection to academic research and theoretical frameworks.”

She says she pursued the Humphrey Fellowship because of its “long-standing reputation as a prestigious program that combines academic excellence, leadership development, and international collaboration. With my professional focus on public policy, particularly in the areas of food security and market stability, this fellowship offers an unparalleled opportunity to engage with global peers and subject matter experts.”

Ünlü says the program’s “emphasis on fostering cross-cultural understanding and promoting innovative solutions to global challenges aligns perfectly with my long-standing commitment to contributing to both my country and the international community.”

Ünlü is excited about what she can offer her home country.

“My primary goal is to apply the theoretical knowledge and practical insights gained to strengthen national food security strategies, particularly in addressing the profound challenges posed by climate change,” she says. “I am committed to contributing to the development of public policies that ensure the resilience and sustainability of critical systems.”

Hyeonjee Lee

Lee is deputy director for Korea's Ministry of National Defense.

After joining the ministry, she worked in the International Policy Department, the Minister’s office, and Military Force Planning Department. “In the International Policy Department, I collaborated and worked closely with foreign counterparts in East Asia and Europe to coordinate exchanges and cooperation activities between defense authorities,” she relates. “These on-site experiences in international relations made me feel the need to study in greater depth, resulting in my obtaining a master’s degree in North Korean politics.”

In her current position as deputy director in the Military Force Planning Department, she has worked on the acquisition of defensive weapon systems, coordinating the process for developing or purchasing weapon systems and communicating with various defense organizations, including research and development agencies, executive organizations and the defense industry. 

Lee says the Humphrey Fellowship exposes her to new ideas that will enhance her professional life.

“Having worked for the Ministry of National Defense in Korea for six years, I felt the need for broader perspectives in my professional field, along with a theoretical foundation,” she says. “The concept of this fellowship, which combines excellent academic programs with on-site experiences, seemed unique and distinguished from other fellowships.”

She also loves the idea of meeting fellows from various parts of the world, “each with diverse expertise and contributing to the world through learning and applying that knowledge in practice after returning to our home countries. I was confident that this program was exactly what I was looking for.”

Lee says that during the fellowship, she hopes to gain a deeper understanding of global security issues and advanced insight into improving overall defense acquisition procedures.

The program’s website profiles the entire cohort of 2024-2025 Hubert H. Humphrey Fellows.

The Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program began in 1978 to honor the late Senator and Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey and his lifelong commitment to international cooperation and public service. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and administered by the Institute of International Education.