Alumna Fellow Samantha Vinograd '01



Hopkins was honored on Monday, November 28, 2022, to host Alumna Fellow Samantha Vinograd ’01, a U.S. Government official in the Department of Homeland Security. Vinograd delivered a riveting assembly speech to the Hopkins community, touching on her experience working in public service to the U.S. Government, both domestically and internationally. Throughout the morning, she engaged with students, faculty, and staff in the classroom and in a Q&A in the Calarco Library. One of the themes that emerged in response to student questions was the challenge that Vinograd and her department face in navigating the fine line between the right to free speech and the need to prevent violence from domestic terrorism. She explained that when extreme rhetoric and misinformation can be linked directly to violence, such as in the January 6th insurrection, that is when her department is able to intervene. 

Vinograd is the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism, Threat Prevention, and Law Enforcement Policy at the Department of Homeland Security. Prior to her current role, from 2017 to 2021, she worked at CNN as a National Security Analyst as a Senior Advisor at the Biden Institute. Ms. Vinograd joined the U.S. Treasury Department in 2008, serving during the George W. Bush administration as Deputy Attaché to Iraq, Acting Attaché to the United Arab Emirates, and International Economist, and during the Obama administration as Director for Iraq, Director for International Economics and Senior Advisor to the National Security Advisor. Vinograd holds an MA in Security Studies from Georgetown University, and a BA in Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. 

The Fellows program was established in 2005 to enrich the Hopkins learning experience by exposing students to alumni who can inspire, challenge, engage and educate by sharing their unique life experiences. 

Watch Vinograd’s full assembly address in the video below. Click here to browse more photos from her visit

Back
    • Voted #1
      Best Day School
      in CT, 2024

Hopkins is a private middle school and high school for grades 7-12. Located on a campus overlooking New Haven, CT, the School takes pride in its intellectually curious students as well as its dedicated faculty and staff.