Fernando Ixpanel MGA ’24 works as a consultant for the Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions at the Organization of American States, which brings together the 35 independent states of the Americas to foster democracy, human rights, security and development. In the Q&A below, Ixpanel shares why he chose the Keough School, how he grew professionally at Notre Dame, and the benefits of studying with global affairs classmates from around the world.
Please tell us about yourself and why you decided to study at Notre Dame’s Keough School of Global Affairs.
I’m from Guatemala; I love sports, music and politics; and I have a bachelor’s degree in international relations. Before joining the Keough School I worked for a think tank, providing technical advice to several Guatemalan institutions and researching electoral and political systems. Currently I work at the Organization of American States (OAS) in the Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions, where I support the organization’s efforts to strengthen democracy in the Americas.
I decided to study at Notre Dame because of the opportunities and resources they offer to their students. I was looking into different programs and scholarships like Fulbright and Chevening when I discovered the master of global affairs program at the Keough School. As someone who is interested in democracy and international development, I found it exciting to have opportunity to engage with Notre Dame faculty and leading research institutes like the Keough School’s Kellogg Institute for International Studies, Pulte Institute for Global Development and Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies. I was aware of Notre Dame’s prestige, but it was the resources, opportunities, and generous scholarship packages that led me to choose the Keough School over other programs.
Why did the Masters in Global Affairs program stand out to you? What first sparked your interest in global affairs?
I was looking for a master’s degree that allowed me to immerse myself in an interdisciplinary setting. I was primarily interested in studying governance models, anti-corruption efforts and international cooperation. I thought studying global affairs would offer me the necessary tools and knowledge to engage in these complex work areas. One piece of advice I have received is that specialization is good, but you also need to be open to new areas of study. In international development and global affairs you might be working on one topic, but a new opportunity might arise in a different area where your skills might be needed. The MGA students’ diversity of nationalities and professional backgrounds also sets the program apart from other places.
How did the interdisciplinary curriculum of the MGA program help you integrate different perspectives and approaches in your academic and professional work?
The interdisciplinary curriculum enables you to understand how a problem can be approached from different disciplines. When you specialize in one discipline, you reduce your exposure to other perspectives and approaches that could positively influence your work.
In my case, the interdisciplinary curriculum helped me expand my understanding of different areas that I have not been exposed to in an academic setting, like sustainable development or policy evaluation, but that are closely linked to the areas I work on. Having this exposure and engaging in meaningful conversations and class discussions made me feel better prepared to address those areas professionally.
When you work in international development, it is easy to focus on one dimension of the issue you are trying to address; however, the complexity of the issues at hand often requires a deep understanding of other fields and areas of study. Being familiar with multiple fields and areas is essential for addressing global problems.
What courses or experiences were most influential in shaping your understanding of global economic justice and policy advocacy?
The most influential experience was engaging with a diverse community over two years. I learned about what other people care about and what they are fighting for. Moreover, I learned about the importance of policy advocacy to influence and support decision-makers in implementing and upholding normative frameworks, legislation and policies. I met classmates who had done this in the past, and they shared their experiences. I also learned from people who have worked on democracy, human rights, gender equality, LGBTQ+ rights, decolonization, climate justice, the environment and more.
The Keough School’s focus on integral human development also was important. When you work in international development, it’s good to remind yourself that what you do impacts people’s lives. You have to think about people’s dignity and how your work can affect the development of each person and the whole person. In this sense, the Integral Human Development course we took offered an excellent opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations about this critical topic. There’s no magic formula and it is not easy to implement in a professional setting, but you have the opportunity to discuss integral human development through the lenses of sustainability, program design, project management, ethics and culture, organizations and privilege.
Can you describe your experience with the Integration Lab (i-Lab) or another fieldwork component of the MGA program? How did it prepare you for your current professional role?
The i-Lab experience complements the design of the program and provides an opportunity to engage in a professional setting as a graduate consultant for a renowned national or international organization, participating in meaningful projects that impact real life. In my case, my group worked with the U.S. Department of State and researched the best practices for strategic planning in the context of conflict prevention and stabilization.
The i-Lab experience is challenging and demands a lot of time and energy. It’s a fast-paced environment and it’s challenging to do the work while also studying for your courses. Nonetheless, it’s a great opportunity to challenge yourself and develop different skills that are needed in professional settings. Through the i-Lab I gained experience working with distinguished professionals and high-level officials around the world. I had prior experience with this in Guatemala, but doing it at the international level helped me learn and gain confidence in my work and networking skills. Now I work for an international organization that requires me to engage daily with these kinds of professionals and officials, and it was a much smoother transition having had the i-Lab experience.
How has the international diversity of your classmates enriched your learning experience and perspectives on global issues?
Having the privilege to study with people from 23 countries while also meeting people from additional countries through other programs on campus helps you grow as a person. It’s a rich environment where you learn about different cultures and points of view, which helps you understand the world on a different level within academia and beyond.
Your work at the Organization of American States (OAS) focuses on sustainable democracy. How has your MGA education supported and enhanced this work?
My work at the OAS is in the Department of Sustainable Democracy and Special Missions, which is part of the Secretariat for Strengthening Democracy. I provide technical assistance to the organization and the member states and assist in project management for the department. Our department works on projects and missions to prevent, manage, and resolve conflicts and, most importantly, strengthen democracy in the Americas.
I had studied and worked in the democracy arena before, but the MGA and the i-Lab provided me with a new opportunity to study and work on conflict prevention. This area was closely related to my interests in governance and anti-corruption efforts, but it had never crossed my mind. Moreover, among the classes I took during the MGA program, I learned about project management, international political economy, peacebuilding and the impact of criminal governance on democracy, among other things. The knowledge and skills I acquired from these classes has significantly contributed to my current work.
What are your long-term professional plans? With the skills, knowledge and exposure you gained as a student, do you feel better prepared to achieve these goals?
I’m still discerning possible career paths, but I do see myself eventually serving in a decision-making position at an international organization or a national institution in Guatemala, leading efforts to improve people’s lives and living conditions. I feel prepared to achieve these goals. The MGA program and the wider Notre Dame community offer great opportunities to develop yourself professionally and also to access an extensive, supportive professional network. Both the Keough School and Notre Dame provide many opportunities to its students and alumni that will help you achieve your goals in the long term. But most importantly, you learn how to impact the world and people’s lives.
