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Mark is a Senior Correspondent with the American Prospect and Writer-in-Residence with the United Nations Foundation. As a 2003-2004 Dutko Fellow, Mark worked as a research assistant for foreign policy issues at the New America Foundation, a public policy think tank.
Following his year as a Dutko Fellow, Mark became a "writing fellow" at the American Prospect, a Washington, D.C. based political monthly, where he wrote scores of articles on international affairs and human rights issues. Mark's articles can be found at: www.prospect.org
Since 2006, Mark has enjoyed an affiliation with the United Nations Foundation, where he writes the UN affairs blog "UN Dispatch" which can be found at: www.undispatch.com/
In 2007, Mark became the Washington D.C. director of the Humanity in Action / Tom and Annette Lantos Fellowship Program, which brings a number of European university and graduate students interested in human rights issues to congress for a five month fellowship on the Capitol Hill. Mark is also a part time graduate student at Georgetown University, and plans on receiving a Masters degree in International Security Studies in 2009.
At Tufts, Mark double majored in Comparative Religion and Peace and Justice Studies.
In the winter of 2003, like many second semester seniors at Tufts, I was struggling to figure out what to do after life on Walnut Hill. I had always wanted to get into politics and public policy so I knew my likely destination was Washington. But I didn't know anyone in the District, and my prospects of landing that perfect first job were looking remote.
Then, on a February afternoon I remember as being distinctly snowy, I met Deb, Rob and Mia at an information session on the Dutko Fellowship. Having been abroad the previous year, I was unfamiliar with the fellowship and didn't quite know what to expect. Almost immediately, I had the sense that this program may be the perfect match for me. Rob and Mia glowed as they described their experiences at their jobs and fellowship, and Deb's touching description of Dan's spark, and the circumstances that lead her to create the fellowship in his legacy, made me understand how unique of an experience this fellowship could be.
So without hesitation I applied and was lucky to be selected. From September 2003 to the following June, I worked as a research assistant at the New America Foundation -- a public policy think-tank with a score of policy oriented journalists on staff. It was an ideal placement where I helped research books, magazine articles and memos on a variety of fascinating topics. Over the course of my 10 months there I became close with my bosses who in turn inspired me to branch off and pursue my own writing and research. So, following my Dutko fellowship at New America, I accepted a writing position at the American Prospect magazine--a political monthly based in Washington. For two years, I wrote about the issues I have always felt passionate about: international affairs and human rights. Then, in 2006, the United Nations Foundation hired me as their "Writer-in-Residence" where I continue to pursue my journalistic interests with their foundational support.
It is without a doubt that I would not be in the position I am now without the foot in the door that the Dutko Fellowship gave me; it was a necessary boost that I'll forever be grateful to have received. As happy as I am at my current job though, the single most gratifying thing to come out of my fellowship is the relationship I've developed with Deb and her family. Chris and the two high-energy Dutko boys are fantastic company, and I consider Deb to be my younger, D.C. surrogate mother. I'll always feel welcome in their home.
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