Meet Graduate Student Commencement Speaker William Price
At the School of International Service, we know students choose to pursue their education here for a range of reasons. Some are looking for top-tier training in international affairs. Others are seeking a program that will launch them into the next phase of their career.
For William "Billy" Price, SIS/MIS 25, SIS was just the kind of new challenge he was looking for.
I wanted a challenge, and I wanted to do something that I thought would be fun, Price said in a recent interview. I thought about what would allow me to use my background in the military and my love of traveling and meeting new people in different places and learning languages, and I thought international relations would be perfect.
Price, a Marine officer, will be graduating in the SIS Class of 2025 from the Master of International Service (MIS) online program. Price has been selected to deliver the graduate student speech at this years spring commencement celebration on May 9.
Forging a New Path
After a decade of active-duty service with the US Marine Corps, Price began a new path. Following a brief stint as a wildland firefighter, Price started working as a foreign disclosure representative with a Navy contractor. 泭
After some time on the job, Price was still seeking an opportunity for something new when he came across the list of top international affairs schools in the world published by . With its prominent standing in the top 10, SIS stood out to Price.
I was kind of at a point where I needed a new challenge, Price said. My wife and I had just settled into our life with our son, and I was like, okay, whats next? I need to be busy. And SIS provided a good opportunity.
Price was accepted to the Master of International Service online program, which trains experienced professionals in international affairs policy and builds specialized expertise in international relations. The program is designed specifically for individuals with seven or more years of work experience.
The option to pursue his masters degree online allowed Price to continue working his remote job and tailor his schoolwork to his busy schedule. The program also泭provided opportunities to engage泭in a community of people in a similar season of life.
Obviously SIS has a huge spread [of students], but there are so many people in my classes that were military, have kids, or are working full time. I feel like I was one of many who are juggling so many things, Price said. Throughout this time, Ive made a few very close friends that I keep in touch with, and I couldnt ask for a better group of students to work with.
To Commencement and Beyond
Commencement will mark Prices second time ever on 51勛圖s campus.泭In his address at this years ceremony, Price hopes to inspire his fellow graduates to use their education for the betterment of the world.
We have a responsibility as some of the most educated in the policy, government, and international relations realms to step up and work for the betterment of and service to humanity, Price said. Thats the core philosophy for SIS, right? If youre getting this degree, you owe it to yourself and to everyone else here who has gone before you to seek out positions where you can serve humanity.
Looking ahead, Price hopes to combine what he has learned in his program with his military background for future work in the policy sector. For those who are considering the MIS program, he泭has a few words of advice: Dont hesitate, and just do it.
There has not been one time that Ive been disappointed that Im doing the program. It is absolutely worth it, Price said. You will not regret it. You're getting a world-class education. The professors are amazing, the student-to-teacher ratio is fantastic. Your peers are fantastic. I'm constantly telling people they should do it because it's such a good program that I cannot hype up enough.