Diplomacy Student Interns at the White House

Anna Lulkin, a senior at the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, spent the fall semester interning at the White House during the final months of the Biden-Harris administration. Majoring in international relations and minoring in Italian, Lulkin is deeply passionate about global affairs. As an intern in the nation's capital, she put her knowledge and skills to the test.

The Mount Sinai, New York, native applied for internship positions through the White House’s official website. With guidance and mentorship from her professors, Lulkin was well-prepared to transition from the classroom to the professional world. A dream come true, she was accepted into the Executive Office of the President, working within the Office of Administration's Personnel Security Division. Lulkin's commitment to success is driven by her strong interest in national security studies and her deep desire to serve her country.

During the semester, she worked in a Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility, a secure area designated by the U.S. Department of Defense where no electronic devices are allowed for security reasons. Lulkin’s responsibilities involved managing several security platforms to ensure the safety and security of the White House campus. She provided administrative support to the security team by handling security mailboxes, processing documentation and addressing employee inquiries on security-related matters. Additionally, Lulkin assisted in maintaining and preparing sensitive records related to security investigations and clearance statuses.

One of the highlights of her experience was the weekly speaker series organized by the White House Internship Program. This networking opportunity allowed Lulkin to connect with high-profile White House staff and politicians and even meet the president and the chief of staff. Reflecting on the program, she shared, “Besides the day-to-day tasks, the White House Internship Program embraces everyone's unique background. They care so much that we are all from different backgrounds and want to explore different fields within political science. It was a great experience.”

Throughout the White House Internship Program, Lulkin completed her credits while also taking classes at the United Nations Foundation. She credits her semester in Washington with opening doors to her successful journey, noting that choosing to attend Seton Hall was pivotal.

“If I had not come here,” Lulkin continued, “I would not have been able to intern at the White House. Unbelievably amazing. The coursework in the School of Diplomacy was so important for me going into this internship because it gave me a background in security. I took global health, bioterrorism, conflict and security and public international law classes that prepared me for this internship.”

After graduating in May, Lulkin plans to pursue a law degree to further her career and contribute to her country. With previous internship experience as a congressional intern for Congressman Lee Zeldin in 2021 and as a judicial intern at the Suffolk County Courthouse in 2024, she said: “I have now worked in all three branches of government: legislative, judicial and now executive; and while they all provided me with great experience and were hands-on, the White House gave me an inside look at our nation’s government.”

Lulkin’s journey exemplifies the key qualities that define a successful student and highlights the value of leveraging the opportunities offered at the School of Diplomacy to the fullest. Her dedication reflects the high standards set by the School of Diplomacy and underscores the importance of proactive, passionate and driven individuals in shaping the future of national security and public service.

Categories: Nation and World