Fordham Administrator by Day, Humanitarian Graduate Student by Night: A Q&A with Caroline Burgos
On May 17, 2025, Caroline Burgos, assistant director for reunions and affinity chapters in Development and University Relations at Fordham University, graduated with her Master of Science in humanitarian studies (MSHS). She was also just inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, Fordham’s Jesuit honor society.
Given Caroline’s passion for humanitarian work, her accomplishments, and recent graduation, I asked her in (virtually) for a chat!
LE: Caroline, can you briefly describe what it’s been like wrapping up your Master of Science in humanitarian studies (MSHS) at Fordham?
CB: I was incredibly grateful and lucky to be able to pursue my master’s in humanitarian studies while working here. Although I finished my thesis in December, it didn’t hit me until I got my diploma, cap, and gown in the mail. As someone who graduated with my first Master’s in business administration during COVID 2020, I never got a graduate school graduation. I believe lifelong education is essential, but those little pick-me-ups, such as walking at Fordham commencement, remind you that you did something incredible.
LE: Can you provide some background on your thesis?
CB: Last summer, I volunteered in Greece, working with refugees in Chios through METAdrasi — Action for Migration and Development and Greek America Corps. What I realized there is that they need more help. They’re not one of the well-known locations for integration or humanitarian response. I began to think, how can we increase volunteer activity there? My thought process started with how to increase access to education. How can we teach them more language-based learning opportunities with the resources that they have? For my thesis, I focused on how technology could impact and improve locations like Chios. I’ve made everyone read it, from my parents to my Latin teacher, his wife, and my professors. The title is “Linguistic Education, Smart Devices, Humanitarian Response for Refugees, and Long-Term Impacts”.
LE: It was inspirational for you. You were recently inducted into several honor societies. Do you want to talk about the Alpha Sigma Nu Honor Society and how your focus was on people for others?
CB: I was honored to be inducted into Alpha Sigma Nu, Fordham’s Jesuit honor society. The application essay asks you what the Jesuit principles meant to you and why they resonated with you. I chose “people for others” because that is the foundation for humanitarianism and what it means to be a humanitarian. What is so important is that people for others means a two-way exchange. There’s a mutual benefit when it comes to working in humanitarian aid. Something about the quality and impact of your work also reveals the necessity of being present.
I chose “people for others” because that is the foundation for humanitarianism and what it means to be a humanitarian.
You cannot be an effective advocate for others if you’re unwilling to take the time to understand the people, respect, and honor their voices, which in many cases have been silenced. Being on the ground in Greece was crucial for me to apply everything I’ve learned in the MSHS. We have many incredible professors at Fordham who have on-the-ground experience. I firmly believe you can’t be the best advocate without seeing who the people are you want to serve.
You can’t be the best advocate without seeing who the people are you want to serve.
LE: What are your plans after graduation?
CB: I am starting up another degree in classics here at Fordham because I’m a huge advocate of lifelong learning. That does not mean I will step away from my humanitarian people for others principle. I am working with the Greek American Corps again this summer on Chios for three weeks. Being in a classroom setting is one of my favorite places.
LE: Do you speak another language? Is this important for humanitarian studies students?
CB: Yes, I have a basic understanding of Greek. As part of most classics graduate programs, it will be mandated that the further into the program a student is, whether it’s a master’s or a PhD, you must be fluent in other languages. To the same extent, humanitarian workers should have some basic understanding of another language. Being monolingual has been an incredible disadvantage to me. And I say that so transparently because volunteering with the Greek America Corps means I would benefit from learning the Greek language.
With the resources that I have available, language learning is something that I wish I had started sooner. When working internationally, I don’t recommend assuming everyone you serve speaks English.
Humanitarian workers should have some basic understanding of another language.
LE: Are there one or two additional tips for future students exploring the humanitarian aid arena?
CB: My biggest tip is that if you’re learning that you can’t create the necessary boundaries to protect your mental health in humanitarian situations, it does not make you a bad humanitarian. You just need to pivot and find the sector you belong in. I wear my heart on my sleeve, and it can be challenging, especially working with children, to make that separation. Humanitarian aid workers travel to sites to give those in need the necessary things for survival, and they can’t get attached. After talking to one of my professors, they said they noticed I wear my heart on my sleeve, and this career can be very taxing. It’s a very grave environment to be in. There are other ways to be involved, which is why the short-term assignments are best for me.
I also want to mention nonprofit work doesn’t just have to be on the ground. It can also be in the corporate setting. For example, being a fundraiser means finding people with the belief and the passion to fund what is happening. I can’t stress enough that things can’t happen without fundraising. We need to fund the humanitarian aid programs to create longevity. Fundraising is not something that people traditionally look at when they’re going into humanitarian work. You don’t have to be on the ground to be an incredible and impactful humanitarian. However, everyone should experience an on-the-ground environment at some point to determine what works for them in their careers.
LE: Let me know if you remember which professor advised you earlier in the conversation.
CB: Anne Edgerton and Joshua Weber are the reasons I stayed and finished the program. Having a full-time job and doing anything school-related can be taxing. They’re both in my thesis acknowledgment, and I will continue to shout from the rooftops how important they were in my growth.
LE: What do you like to do in your free time?
CB: I travel a lot. I am a retired swimmer. Recently, I’ve been trying to get back into swimming after six years out of college. I’m a massive One Direction fan and concertgoer. I’ve seen Louis Tomlinson about seven times. Harry Styles, four times. I love traveling. I spend a lot of time in Greece outside of my volunteer work. I’ve lived there twice for extended periods. I’m a big book girlie. I reread The Hunger Games and the Twilight series. I love spending time with my family and friends. I take Greek classes. Do some of my activities sound so lame? They bring me a lot of joy.
LE: Not lame at all. Thank you for sharing. It’s always important to talk about what brings you joy in life, and that’s important for humanitarians to remember. You talked about what it’s like working full-time while getting your MSHS. Were you a part-time or full-time MSHS student?
CB: I was part-time and chose how many classes I wanted to take every semester. It’s not mentioned enough that when you take courses under tuition remission, you are taxed on them if they are graduate-level classes. So I took classes that made sense financially, based on what I could take and my capacity and bandwidth for the semester. It was about a two-and-a-half-year program for me, whereas full-time, it’s about one year. If I could have taken classes a lot faster, I would have. However, you must prioritize if you are a working professional and taking classes. My job did take priority. I recommend earning additional degrees, especially those working in higher education. Graciously take advantage of your time here and do something with it.
I recommend earning additional degrees, especially those working in higher education. Take advantage of your time here!
LE: Are there any tips you have for those considering taking our Master’s degree and working full-time?
CB: Be honest, transparent, and open with your supervisor. I was fortunate that my supervisors, in both roles that I’ve held at Fordham, have been very flexible with my schedule. My role is hybrid, and I work at Lincoln Center, but many of the classes for this program are up at Rose Hill. The days when I needed to be up at Rose Hill, my supervisor let me have my in-office day at Rose Hill, which was a lovely change of pace, considering I’m always in Manhattan. When I had major papers due and stayed up until two in the morning, I would say, “Hey, I’m just letting you know I was up late writing a paper. I’m working today, but let me know if I’m forgetting something.” You don’t want them to think that you are prioritizing school over your job at any point. It ensures an open line of communication.
Follow Caroline’s next academic journey on LinkedIn.
Interview recorded and edited by Lily Egan, communications officer, Institute of International Humanitarian Affairs (IIHA) at Fordham University. Special thanks to Nicole Davis, assistant director of Internal Communications, for her editorial support.
###
The Institute acts as a bridge between the University and humanitarian practice, hosts lectures and symposia on a regular basis, and is the US partner for NOHA, a consortium of 12 European universities offering humanitarian education. The IIHA at 2546 Belmont Ave, Bronx, New York at Fordham University also provides space for undergrad and graduate students to bond during meetings, guest speaker events, and gallery exhibitions. In addition to our Humanitarian Studies, International Diploma, Diplomatic Training, and credit/non-credit Humanitarian Training courses, the IIHA publishes on a wide range of humanitarian topics, such as A Skein of Thought. Our staff and faculty come to us with years of UN experience and in-the-field humanitarian aid work. Follow: IG l FB l LinkedIn l X Subscribe:Humanitarian Fault Lines Podcast Media Inquiries: Lily Egan.
