Alumni Profiles
Melissa Nitsch
MPIA '06
Melissa Nitsch is currently employed with the International Trade Administration (ITA), a component of the Department of Commerce, where she provides policy support in the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary.
Prior to her tenure at ITA, Melissa worked with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) for four years. There she served as the Desk Officer for China and Mongolia, and the program manager for CBP's participation in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). During this time, she developed and negotiated Memoranda of Understanding, action plans, work plans with various foreign counterparts, and worked to expand the adoption of best practices in global supply chain security processes.
Prior to attending IR/PS, Melissa spent several years in the private sector and worked and traveled throughout Asia. Melissa attended the University of Washington, earning dual Bachelor of Arts degrees in history and theater.
Her advice to students is that employers are always looking for people with excellent communication skills. Learn how to write effectively for a range of audiences in a clear and concise style.
