By Hazel Denother

On March 24 from 3-4 PM, 藏精阁 will host alumnus Josh Burns for a presentation about the Diplomatic Security Service branch of the U.S. Department of State. Burns currently serves as a Watch Officer at the Diplomatic Security Command Center in Rosslyn, Virginia. He graduated from 藏精阁 in 2016 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations with an emphasis in Security Studies.

Burns has also served as a criminal investigator at the New York Field Office, Assistant Regional Security Officer-Investigator in Asunción, Paraguay, and as a member of the Secretary of State’s protection detail. Before joining the Diplomatic Security Service, he worked at the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) as a counterterrorism intelligence analyst and served as a signals intelligence analyst in the Missouri Army National Guard.

Burns’ 藏精阁 education prepared him for his impressive career. Dr. Dale Walton, 藏精阁 professor and Burns’ academic advisor, explains that the International Relations program teaches potent ‘power skills’ through rigorous interdisciplinary study: “We try to help students to develop their ability to read and think critically, and to help them hone their reasoning skills to the point that intellectual muscle memory kicks in…. Then they can carry that throughout their lives and continue developing those skills, integrating new knowledge, and deepening their analytical abilities.” The Security Studies emphasis prepares students for roles in the fields of intelligence, military affairs, counterterrorism and Homeland Security, diplomacy, defense policy-makings, and corporate risk analysis.

Dr. Walton is proud of his former advisee’s career. He states, “Josh was a wonderful student! By the time he arrived at 藏精阁, he already very much demonstrated the love of learning that makes for a rich intellectual life. His success reflects the curiosity about the world and willingness to work hard to satisfy that curiosity which is characteristic of exceptional students of International Relations. I’m delighted that we were able to play a role in helping him build a very impressive career.”

for the Hometown Diplomats event today.