Cary Dornier ’25 Jumpstarts Career in National Security

The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) recently announced Cary Dornier ’25 as a member of its Make Room Mentorship Program. Now in its second iteration, the initiative seeks to empower the next generation of public service leaders. The initiative supports and amplifies voices from underrepresented communities who are intent on careers in the national security and foreign policy spheres.

Shaped by his Korean and German American background, Dornier strives toward a society that is committed to human well-being and individual self-determination. As a political studies major who hopes to embark on a career advising on foreign policy and security issues, Dornier credits Pitzer for nurturing his curiosity toward global issues.

“Pitzer has been instrumental in transforming my passion for foreign policy and global engagement from mainly a subject matter interest into a genuine desire to spend my life interacting with these issues to help shape change firsthand through public service,” said Dornier.

CNAS is an independent, bipartisan, nonprofit organization. It aims to inform national security and defense policies by developing high-level research, analysis, and policy recommendations. Through CNAS, Dornier will be mentored by a senior-level official at the Department of the Air Force who was a former Senate aide. This will provide insight as Dornier intends to join a congressional office as a staff assistant in Washington, D.C. following graduation.  

Pitzer’s core values have had a major influence on Dornier and his professional journey.

“A central tenet of [Pitzer’s] intercultural understanding core value is the idea that we as nations and as people cannot do it alone—our most pressing challenges require us to work together in a spirit of good faith and mutual respect,” said Dornier.

Dornier has also pursued this value as a committee member of Pitzer’s Presidential Initiative on Constructive Dialogue. This initiative facilitates events and workshops to discuss challenging issues and enhance communication skills, active listening, and empathy.

“The College has supported me at every turn and has taught me how vital it is to integrate principles, ethics, and integrity into one’s approach as a leader,” said Dornier. “I look forward to putting into practice what I’ve learned from Pitzer in the years to come and am deeply grateful to have had the chance to learn and grow in such a vibrant community of global citizens.”