The School of Diplomacy and International Relations

Diplomacy Spotlight: Gabriella K. Fernandez ’25

by Michael Peel | Feb 16, 2026 | Uncategorized

Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Gabriella K. Fernandez is set to graduate in December 2025 with a B.S. in Diplomacy and International Relations, along with minors in Spanish and Economics. During her time at Seton Hall, Gabriella has combined academic rigor with hands-on political experience, building a strong foundation for a career in public service and foreign affairs.

Gabriella interned in the district office of U.S. Representative Tom Kean Jr. (NJ-07), where she played an active role in supporting constituents and office operations. Her responsibilities included drafting constituent correspondence, assisting individuals over the phone with casework, documenting constituent concerns, and ensuring issues were routed to the appropriate staff members. She also updated office contact lists, assisted with special projects, and represented the Congressman in interactions with the public. Her professionalism and dedication led to her being hired as a Staff Assistant in the district office, where she continues to serve the community.

On campus, Gabriella has been deeply engaged in leadership and service throughout all four years. She is a long-standing member of the Buccino Leadership Institute, serving on the executive board of the BLI Admissions Team for three years, where she helped plan the admissions process, review applications, and interview prospective students. Within the School of Diplomacy, she served as Secretary and later President of the Undergraduate Diplomacy Student Association, organizing speaker events, professional development opportunities, and social programming for the Diplomacy community. She has also contributed her writing and analysis as a writer for the Diplomatic Envoy.

Gabriella’s academic journey has extended beyond the United States. In Fall 2024, she studied abroad in Barcelona, Spain, further strengthening her global perspective and language skills. She is also a Seton Hall Servant Leader Scholar, an honor she has held for all four years, reflecting her ongoing commitment to leadership rooted in service.

Her professional experience spans multiple levels of government and public service. In Summer 2025, Gabriella completed a congressional internship in Washington, D.C. with Representative Jack Bergman, and in Summer 2024, she worked as a Match Grant Program Case Aid Intern with Cleveland Catholic Charities’ Migration and Refugee Services, supporting refugee resettlement efforts.

Looking ahead, Gabriella hopes to transition to the Washington, D.C. office of Representative Tom Kean Jr. or another congressional office in the coming years. Her long-term goal is to work as a staffer on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where she can contribute to policymaking in the fields of foreign affairs and national security, which continue to motivate her interest in congressional service.

Diplomacy Spotlight: Sofia Wunej ’26

by Michael Peel | Feb 16, 2026 | Uncategorized

Sofia Wunej, a third-year student in the School of Diplomacy and International Relations, has combined her academic focus with direct service through an internship with the International Rescue Committee (IRC). Working within the organization’s Intensive Case Management (ICM) program, Sofia supported refugee and immigrant clients navigating complex challenges related to resettlement and long-term stability.

In her role, Sofia assisted caseworkers with client documentation, coordinated referrals to social services, healthcare providers, and mental health resources, and helped conduct follow-ups to ensure continuity of care. She also contributed to administrative and data-entry tasks that supported the day-to-day operations of the program. Through this work, Sofia gained valuable insight into how case management teams collaborate across disciplines to address the multifaceted needs of vulnerable populations.

The internship strengthened Sofia’s skills in client advocacy, cross-cultural communication, and professional writing, while introducing her to trauma-informed and strengths-based approaches to humanitarian support. Observing how legal, social, and medical resources intersect in practice was one of the most impactful aspects of the experience, reinforcing her commitment to service-oriented work in international and domestic contexts.

Academically, Sofia is pursuing a degree in International Relations and Diplomacy through Seton Hall’s 3+3 accelerated law program, positioning her to transition seamlessly into legal studies. Looking ahead, she plans to attend law school and pursue a career at the intersection of international law, human rights, and public policy, with a particular focus on humanitarian advocacy and refugee protection.

Sofia’s experience with the International Rescue Committee reflects the School of Diplomacy’s emphasis on applied learning and ethical engagement, demonstrating how academic study can be paired with meaningful service to advance justice and human dignity.