Alumni

Maddie Hise ’25

Congressional Intern, U.S. House of Representatives

D.C. is where decisions are made, and Georgetown is home to many of the people making them. The connections, guest speakers, and course offerings initially drew me in [to the program], but the more I learned, the more I felt this degree was tailored for me. 

The ADPP program is designed to let each student fully immerse themselves in the topics they’re most passionate about. The program hosts alumni, faculty, and mentors who are leaders in their field. There’s always someone to connect with and who is eager to support your goals. 

Thaddeus Wientzen ‘24

Overdose Survivor Outreach Peer Recovery Coach at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

Co-Founder of Hoyas for Recovery

2024 Beacon of Hope Honoree, MedStar Georgetown University Hospital’s 2024 Associate of the Year

I was told about this program in 2022 by one of my counseling mentors who said, “If you want to do the most good, and touch the lives of the most people, you should consider the Georgetown Addiction Policy & Practice Master’s program.“

ADPP caters to people from all walks of life with an interest in addiction because there is a need for voices from all types of people with diverse backgrounds. For many of us, addiction has touched our lives in one way or another. The education this program provides is tailored for a comprehensive view of addiction and how it impacts our lives and our world. Through that viewpoint we can identify what has worked and what has failed in the past, and begin to innovate with our solutions into the future.

Chad Jackson ’23

Chairman, DC Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission

Co-Founder of Hoyas for Recovery

I have held the position of Chair of DC Opioid Abatement Advisory Commission since October of 2023, this would not have been a consideration without the ADPP program.

While in the program, I had the opportunity to co-found Hoyas for Recovery on campus and I have been continuously rewarded by that action. I also have great memories of class with the world class teachers and my fellow cohort.

I have developed life long friendships in the program from every cohort. The unique nature of this program has created a close knit community who are able to cross political lines and make positive impacts in policy.

Benjamin Fraifeld ’22

Associate Director for Policy & Advocacy at Maryland’s Office of Overdose Response

During my time in ADPP, I developed the knowledge base and skills I needed to hit the ground running in the addiction policy space. In my job, I frequently help policy makers understand the science of substance use disorder and overdose in order to prioritize evidence-based policy solutions, and the neurobiology and addiction psychiatry courses I took at Georgetown still serve as my foundation on that subject. The writing skills I developed in the program were of immediate use in the workplace, preparing me to write policy briefs, one-pagers, and even formal comments to the Federal Register. When it came time to look for a job, Professor LaBelle and other program faculty supported me every step of the way, from connecting me to job opportunities to continuing to support my professional development even today.