The International and Comparative Education Program (ICEP) at Teachers College prepares students for a wide range of careers and post-graduate opportunities. From policy to research to training and development, our graduates are prepared to enter diverse fields and make meaningful contributions across sectors.

Below are just a few stories highlighting what our recent graduates are up to now. We’ll let our alumni speak for themselves!

Yale Young African Scholars Program Coordinator

Yale University, Connecticut

“ The Yale Young African Scholars (YYAS) Program  is an education access and academic enrichment program that works directly with African secondary school students based on the continent, providing them with the tools needed to pursue post-secondary education and career opportunities. In my role, I support all programmatic operations including curriculum design, coordinating travel logistics, conducting external outreach to all necessary partners that support with funding different aspects of the program, application reading, and part-time staff management. I also lead several of the ongoing smaller projects within the overall program including our Pathways mentorship program that supports YYAS alumni who are working through the college application process or navigating a gap year. ”

- Amaeka Effiong, MA ‘26

Undersecretary for Public Policies

Secretariat of Social Development of the State of São Paulo, Brazil

“ In this role, I am responsible for overseeing policy design, implementation, and monitoring across several areas, including social assistance, social development, food security and hunger reduction, and drug policy. My work involves coordinating initiatives across state agencies, municipalities, civil society organizations, and international partners to strengthen social protection systems and improve outcomes for vulnerable populations…Before starting my current role, I also worked at MegaEdu, leading government relations and implementation efforts to expand meaningful connectivity in public schools across Brazil.   ”

- Angelo Luiz Viana Santos, MA ‘22

Knowledge Management and Research Intern

UNICEF Namibia

“ Since graduating from the ICEP program, I have been working with UNICEF Namibia, supporting education and development initiatives through research, knowledge management, and program-related work.   ”

- Lena Taekyung Kim, MA ‘26

PhD Student

University of Ottawa, Canada

“ I wanted to pursue a career in academia, focusing on the merging field of international and comparative higher education. I got accepted into the University of Ottawa’s Education PhD program with full funding and will be starting the program this Fall!  ”

- Talha Idiz, MA ‘25

Research & Data Analyst

Bank Street Education Center, New York City

“ I am an ICEP alum and currently work as a Research & Data Analyst at Bank Street Education Center. I really enjoy my work and the opportunity to use quantitative research methods to support educational initiatives and improve outcomes for students and educators.  ”

- Hannah Yeonji Kang, MA ‘22

Financial Analyst

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China's Dubai (DIFC) Branch, Dubai

“ I am currently working in the Structured Finance Department at the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China's Dubai (DIFC) Branch. My role primarily focuses on corporate credit and project finance, including financial analysis, transaction structuring, due diligence, risk assessment, and syndicated financing for major infrastructure, energy, and government-related projects across the Middle East. ”

- Addison Wang, MA '24

Training and Development Supervisor

Law Firm in New York City

“ I’m the training and development supervisor at a big law firm and still living in NYC. I build and run professional development programs for the business services staff, including leadership development, professional skills, teaming, and mentoring. I also manage the summer internship program for undergraduates.   ”

- Kiki Cokorinos, MA ‘22

How did students’ experiences in ICEP and at Teachers College influence their career paths?

When reflecting on how ICEP and Teachers College shaped their career trajectories, alumni point to the program’s ability to connect theory, policy, and practice in meaningful ways. 

Alumni consistently highlighted the practical skills they developed through ICEP coursework. Lena Taekying Kim (MA ’26) described how ITSF 5006: Comparative Policy Studies: Tools & Techniques, taught by Professor Gita Steiner-Khamsi, deepened her understanding of international organizations, education sector reviews, and Sustainable Development Goal 4, knowledge she has applied directly in her work with UNICEF Namibia. Hannah Yeonji Kang (MA ’22) shared that ITSF 4101: Quantitative Analysis in Comparative and International Education taught by Dr. Oren Pizmony-Levy sparked her interest in research and data analysis and ultimately influenced her career path. Similarly, Amaeka Effiong (MA ’26) found that ITSF 4032: Project Planning and Management in International Education Development, taught by Dr. Mary Mendenhall, equipped her with the practical skills needed to manage complex, multifaceted education projects.

Beyond individual courses, graduates emphasized how the mentorship they received through the program helped them develop broader professional competencies that continue to shape their work. Angelo Luiz Viana Santos (MA ’22) reflected that mentorship from faculty members (including Professors Gita Steiner-Khamsi, Constanza Lafuente, Oren Pizmony-Levy, and Regina Cortina) shaped his approach to public policy and strengthened his ability to navigate complex institutions, build cross-sector partnerships, and translate policy ideas into large-scale programs with real-world impact.

Alumni also pointed to work opportunities and resources beyond the classroom in shaping their career development. Amaeka Effiong credits her experience as a Graduate Research Assistant at the George Clement Bond Center for African Education, noting that the transferable skills she developed through the role helped her prepare for job interviews and make the most of each workday. Kiki Cokorinos is grateful for the guidance, community, and professional support she found through TC NEXT, where she worked and accessed resources that helped launch her career.

International and Comparative Education is a large, interdisciplinary field, and the breadth of graduates’ career paths in this story reflects that. Whether in academia, policy, research, international organizations, or the private sector, ICEP-and Teachers College more broadly- is a place where students can clarify their interests, build career-ready skills, and explore the many directions their work in education and development can take them.

Many thanks to our alumni who responded to our outreach and made this story possible!

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We look forward to learning more about your current work!

— International and Comparative Education Program