Natalie Longmire-Kulis '22

A smiling headshot of Natalie

Natalie Longmire-Kulis is a Stanford IR graduate! She spoke with us about her areas of interest, her favorite topics within the IR Major, her current position at Stanford and what she likes to do outside of the classroom!

Please introduce yourself! 

Hi! My name is Natalie (she/her/hers), and I was born and raised in Santa Fe, New Mexico. I have a lot of small-town pride, but also grew up with a French mother and Polish father, so you could say I got some “real-world” IR training early on!

What were your IR specializations? 

I specialized in Comparative International Governance and Social Development/Human Wellbeing, with a minor in Human Rights.

What did you enjoy about the IR Major at Stanford?

I loved the flexibility and intellectual creativity that the IR major encouraged. I appreciated being able to take classes from all different parts of campus, which also meant that I got to learn from and alongside professors and peers with vastly different perspectives and identities. I especially appreciated how a lot of the IR classes were seminar-style, which encouraged deeper conversation and exploration.

What is your official title at your current job and what are your responsibilities?

I’m a Program Manager at the Stanford Center for Human Rights, where I oversee our Southeast Asia-related initiatives focusing in particular on human rights, judicial capacity building, and sustainability. I get to spend a lot of time in the region serving as a liaison between the Center, students, other Stanford-based affiliates, and our Southeast Asian colleagues to help implement and develop programs and initiatives that are community-centered and highly interdisciplinary. 

Any advice for IR students?

If you have an area or idea that you’re really interested in but can’t find a class on it, think about a directed reading with a professor! These were some of my favorite experiences at Stanford, because they allowed me to develop awesome relationships with incredible professors and go super deep on topics that I was especially curious about.

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Anything involving friends! I’m big on the spontaneous yes —my motto: what’s the worst that can happen?