The Security Studies Program welcomes an impressive fall 2025 cohort

This fall, Georgetown University’s graduate Security Studies Program (SSP) welcomed one of its most diverse and accomplished cohorts to the Hilltop. With a reputation as the premier hub for national and international security education, the Master of Arts in Security Studies’ fall 2025 cohort stands out not just for its academic strength—but also for the depth and breadth of professional experience each student brings.

By Ashka Jhaveri (SSP ‘26)

Unprecedented global reach

Incoming SSP students have spent an average of four years in the workforce, in a variety of roles such as analyst and journalist, as well as working in the field of cutting-edge technology. Notably, we welcomed our largest Military-connected community (at 27%), and the cohort continues to reflect a near-balanced gender representation: 54% female and 46% male.

The fall 2025 cohort is also composed of a large international student population, with representation from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. 

Among them are three standout voices: Jaime Ocon, Johanna Yang and Coby Joseph, that exemplify the intellectual rigor, international perspective, and public service orientation that define SSP and the Georgetown School of Foreign Service.

From the Taiwan Strait to Washington: Jaime Ocon’s bold transition from journalism to policy

For Jaime Ocon, the road to Georgetown SSP began in Taiwan. After moving there at age 17, Ocon immersed himself in the language and culture, eventually becoming the lead defense reporter for the country’s largest English-language television channel. There, he covered pivotal moments in Taiwan’s geopolitical evolution, from Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s historic visit to the procurement of advanced U.S. weapons systems.

But reporting from Taiwan eventually prompted deeper questions. “After visiting dozens of military facilities across the country, I wanted to dive deeper into what specific systems and strategies meant for Taiwan’s overall defense posture,” he says. Ocon’s focus at SSP will be in Military Operations, driven by a desire to help bolster Taiwan’s domestic defense and strengthen U.S.-Taiwan ties. “My ultimate goal is to do my part in helping deter conflict in the Taiwan Strait.”

In recognition of his potential, Ocon was awarded the prestigious Weintal Scholarship by Georgetown’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy, under the leadership of Ambassador Barbara Bodine. He will also serve as the Admissions and Alumni Fellow in the Center for Security Studies.

Johanna Yang’s Path from Capitol Hill to Georgetown SSP

For Johanna Yang, the spark to pursue national security came early. The daughter of an Asian-American immigrant and a U.S. Navy Commander, she first discovered Georgetown through a high school summer program on leadership and diplomacy.

That passion brought her to Capitol Hill during her junior year, where she interned for the House Select Committee on the CCP under then-Chairman Mike Gallagher (SSP’12). “I felt like I had finally found my purpose,” she says of her time contributing to the policy pipeline. Mentorship from SSP alumni on staff cemented her decision to pursue graduate study at Georgetown.

Now, Yang looks forward to joining a community that shares both her professional interests and her Jesuit-rooted commitment to service. “Being surrounded by people dedicated to national security and public service makes me want to show up as my best self every day,” she notes.

Bridging AI policy and national security: Coby Joseph’s vision from Silicon Valley to DC

Originally from San Mateo, California, Coby Joseph brings a distinctly future-focused perspective to the SSP cohort. A graduate of the University of Michigan, Coby is the co-founder and co-director of the Vista Institute for AI Policy, a pioneering organization working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, law and national security. At Vista, he has helped shape the organization’s mission to grow legal and policy expertise in AI and promote risk-mitigating U.S. regulation.

Joseph’s leadership has included everything from developing the organization’s theory of change and forging partnerships with academia, government officials and think tanks, to leading the design and implementation of impactful programming. “Advanced AI will profoundly shape U.S. national security strategy,” Joseph notes. He is pursuing his degree at Georgetown’s SSP for its rigorous curriculum and access to faculty and peers who’ve worked across the U.S. government, all of which offers the perfect next step in his journey.

A cohort shaped by purpose, poised for impact

From the U.S. Congress and think tanks in Silicon Valley to defense newsrooms in Taipei, the fall 2025 cohort brings a wealth of lived experience and a shared passion for security in an increasingly complex world. All of our incoming students share a drive to develop as professionals in the security industry. 

They arrive at a time of interconnected global threats, emerging technologies, and changing political landscapes. SSP’s rigorous academic program which includes practitioner-led courses, and access to DC’s policy and defense infrastructure, equip students to meet those challenges head-on.

Being surrounded by people dedicated to national security and public service makes me want to show up as my best self every day

Johanna Yang

Hoya Saxa!