Alex Joensen

Background

About Alex Joensen

I'm a passionate advocate for international collaboration and exchange with over 8-years of experience working on US State Department funded programs. I'm currently a Senior Program Officer II on the Community Engagement Exchange and Community Solutions Programs at IREX. I oversee all aspects of 200+ fellow placements at U.S. civil society organizations. In my role, I work to establish and nurture relationships with U.S-based institutions, including implementing and monitoring processes to effectively place fellows to host organizations based on interest and fit. Prior to joining IREX, I worked for over three and a half years on the Global Undergraduate Exchange Program (Global UGRAD) as both a Program Officer and a Program Associate responsible for the Western Hemisphere, North Africa, and Middle East portfolios. Before joining the Global UGRAD Program in 2017, while pursuing my graduate studies, I worked as a Communications Intern at the Embassy of the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire in Washington, DC and as a French Graduate Assistant teaching undergraduate-level introductory French language courses. I've also served as an English Language Assistant teaching middle and high school English classes in Strasbourg, France. I hold an M.A. in French Language and Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a dual B.A. in Political Science and French with a certificate in European Studies from the Catholic University of America. When not working, I enjoy listening to and collecting jazz records, trying new teas, planning for my next trip, and practicing yoga.