Bob Briggs Honored for Staff Member Lifetime Achievement Award

American University News


In recognition of 30 years of service advising and mentoring students at
AU School of Public Affairs, Academic Counselor Bob Briggs was recently honored with American University's 2017 Maria Bueno Lifetime Achievement Award.
Briggs is currently the academic counselor to government graduate students and Ph.D. students in SPA. He began his career as an advisor in 1987, supporting undergraduate students majoring in Political Science and communications, law, economics, and government (CLEG).
"Bob works hard to ensure that graduate students understand the graduate regulations and can navigate the system to successfully complete their programs," said SPA Interim Dean Vicky Wilkins. "Bob is a valuable resource for our students while they are in the program and beyond. I am grateful for his commitment to the school and the university."
"I knew the graduate program was right for me after meeting and speaking with Bob," said Jose De Bastos SPA/MA'17. "Throughout my time at SPA he was always available and he gave me great advice about classes, professors, and work opportunities, even after I graduated."
Briggs helped Terence Szuplat (SPA/BA '95) as an undergraduate at SPA. Szuplat, who went on to become a speechwriter for President Barack Obama for eight years, says that Briggs helped him choose the right classes, encouraged him study abroad, where he interned for a member of the British Parliament, and connected him to the White House speechwriting office where he worked as an intern.
"I can say without hesitation that those opportunities simply would not have been possible without the encouragement and mentorship of Bob Briggs over many years," said Szuplat. "Bob helped me set my sights higher, spark my career, and shape my life."
Briggs also worked with Scott Goodstein SPA/BA '95 in the early 1990s. Goodstein said that Briggs recommended internships and night classes that allow him craft his own career path.
"Bob never took ...

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