Alumni Stories

In His Own Words: Craig Zelizer

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Craig Zelizer (SOCI '95) studied at the Prague campus during CEU’s early years. He has dedicated his life to being an entrepreneur and to creating a more peaceful world.

In Her Own Words: Elena Popa

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Elena Popa (PHIL '16, Ph.D ) is an Assistant Professor at the American University of Central Asia (AUCA), Kyrgyzstan. She was previously a CEU Global Teaching Fellow at AUCA.

Through the Global Teaching Fellowship Program, a selected group of advanced CEU doctoral candidates and recent doctoral graduates have the opportunity to teach at GTFP Partner Universities for one semester or one academic year. After completing her fellowship Elena was offered a permanent position at AUCA where she teaches philosophy. 

In His Own Words: Farhad Mukhtarov

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Farhad Mukhtarov (ENVS '09, Ph.D; ENVS '05 Msc.) is a public policy scholar specialized in studying water resources and the environment. 

In Her Own Words: Valentyna Nagy

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A historian by training, Valentyna Nagy (HIST '09) has turned her passion for genealogy into profession. Fluent in five languages, she has insatiable thirst for different cultures, languages, exciting new discoveries and great sense of adventure. She holds a Ph.D in History and was a visiting Fulbright researcher at George Washington University.

You’re a freelance genealogist and a pilot? (Do they relate somehow?) What do you fly and for whom?

In Her Own Words: Maja Petrusevska

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Maja Petrusevska (IRES '94) studied at CEU when it was still in Prague. On joining, she was already renowned in her native Macedonia as part of a group of young progressive journalists who challenged the norms of reporting. In the last 16 years Maja has been working in London with the BBC, heading several national services and serving a producer and senior trainer. She is currently BBC’s Assistant Partnership Editor.

You’re a veteran journalist, in your native Macedonia and the BBC. What do you find the most interesting or impactful aspect of the work you do?