Tracy Lynge

Name: Tracy Lynge Picture of Faculty/Staff Member
Alumni Of:
  • School of International Affairs
Degree(s):
  • M.S. INTA 2000
Current Job: Communications Director at the Social Security Administration office of the Inspector General
Biography:

Tracy Lynge is the communications director at the Social Security Administration office of the Inspector General. She serves as the OIG’s primary spokesperson, and directs a public affairs staff serving a 540-person nationwide workforce by responding to public, media, and congressional inquiries, as well as many other responsibilities. She previously worked under the Inspector General as a senior advisor, where she made recommendations regarding process improvements, strategic communications, employee satisfaction, diversity and inclusion, and other issues.

How did Tech and the Nunn School help you get where you are?

By getting my master’s degree, I became eligible for the Presidential Management Fellowship, and was able to interview for (and was later offered) a job at the Social Security Administration (SSA), conducting research on international pension reform efforts. The International Affairs program also helped me develop my critical thinking and writing skills, which have been critical during my career at SSA and have helped me advance quickly.

What advice you would give current students at Tech as well as the Sam Nunn School specifically?

Keep an open mind about what types of jobs you might be interested in when you graduate! I’m not doing any international work in my current job, but my work makes a difference to SSA, Congress, and the American public, so I wouldn’t change a thing. Life seldom takes you where you expected to go.

What is something that you got from studying International Affairs at Tech?

The Nunn School program helped me gain more than just knowledge of international affairs and policy analysis—I certainly acquired that knowledge, but I also developed the attributes that make me valuable to my agency and my bosses—writing, presentation, critical thinking, and interpersonal skills. Also, a brief description of what you are currently working on would be greatly appreciated. I work for the Inspector General for the Social Security Administration (www.socialsecurity.gov/oig). This office has almost 600 people in every state, mostly special agents and auditors, working to improve SSA’s programs and fight Social Security fraud.