New Staff: Help Us Welcome These New Faces To Team TFAS
As we approach our 50th year at The Fund for American Studies, we’re seeing great growth in our programs, staff and impact at TFAS. This year alone, we’ve welcomed four new members to the TFAS team, each serving an integral part of enhancing the mission and vision of TFAS.
U.S. Programs
With an extensive background in volunteerism and service, Carly Chafey (IPVS 11) joins TFAS as coordinator of the Institute on Philanthropy and Voluntary Service (IPVS) program.
Carly just returned from a two-year stay in rural Mozambique where she taught English to Portuguese speaking high school students through the Peace Corps. Along with teaching, she facilitated literacy programs for 2nd and 3rd graders and led numerous youth groups while promoting social issues.
Carly is a graduate of Bucknell University who began her career in service as an IPVS student. In 2011, she participated in TFAS and interned with the Food for Kids program at the Capital Area Food Bank.
“My favorite part of being an IPVS student was probably all of the people that I met through TFAS,” Carly said. “Not only meeting the other students who had similar interests, but also the guest lecturers, alumni and getting to know people who worked at different nonprofits around D.C.”
After exploring D.C. as an intern and living abroad, Carly is excited to be back in the District with TFAS and IPVS in her new role. She is looking forward to seeing the summer program “from start to finish” as a staff member and how that differs from her time as a TFAS student.
In her spare time, Carly enjoys the great outdoors and likes to participate in the many outdoor adventures D.C. has to offer like hiking trails and social sports teams. She’s an avid volleyball player, and she even knows how to juggle!
Also returning from time abroad is Andrea Smith. Andrea is the manager of two TFAS programs: the Engalitcheff Institute on Comparative Political & Economic Systems (ICPES) and Leadership & the American Presidency (LTAP), our new program developed in partnership with the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute.
Andrea was born in the U.S., but she spent her formative years in Germany. Prior to joining TFAS, Andrea worked in investment banking in Germany, in public relations in the U.S. and has even studied neuroscience in Scotland.
Andrea says she’s eager to meet the students, alumni and faculty who will be a part of TFAS this summer and experience the summer programs along with them.
She says her favorite part of her work right now is reviewing the students’ applications and “getting to know them” before she meets them. She has seen impressive applications from the “future policy makers” and “future leaders” who are sure to change the world.
“These students have specific passions, and they can actually change things,” Andrea said. “You never know who we might be accepting into the program.”
Andrea enjoys taking in the museums, monuments and history of D.C. As a dedicated student and employee, Andrea can be found at George Washington University’s campus where she is continuing her graduate studies in strategic public relations in her spare time.
Andrea is also a fan of Argentine tango dancing, a hobby she ironically picked up while studying in Scotland.
Watch the U.S. Programs team “juggle” the many tasks and “dance” their way through leading our summer academic internship programs in D.C. this summer by following TFAS on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, and by visiting the DCinternships blog.
Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship Program
In February, TFAS welcomed businessman, political essayist and philanthropist Neal B. Freeman as chairman of the Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship Program.
[Related Link: Neal Freeman Tapped to Lead Robert Novak Journalism Fellowship Program]
TFAS said farewell to former Novak Program Executive Director John W. Farley, who announced his retirement in early February. Jeffrey Hollingsworth took over John’s role, and Vanessa Henderson, who provides logistical, technical and related program support, is continuing in her role as executive assistant.
“Thank You for Calling TFAS…”
Have you heard a new voice on the TFAS line? That’s our new receptionist, Daniel Farley! Daniel joined the TFAS team in March as the front desk receptionist. In his role, he supports TFAS through administrative tasks including answering phones, greeting guests and filing. He also contributes to the accounting and finance team with administrative duties.
In his spare time, he enjoys mountain biking, skiing and cheering for Washington, D.C. sports teams. Daniel comes to TFAS from the restaurant industry where he managed and bartended at a variety of local D.C. area restaurants.
To learn more about our new TFAS team members, please visit TFAS.org/staff.