Meet Michael Honigstein '91

Name:  Michael Honigstein

Initiation Year: 1991

Graduation Year: 1995

Your Spouses Name: Melissa Honigstein

Childrens Names & Ages: Sage, 18; Keith, 13; Nathan, 11

Major: Creative Writing.  (Minor in architecture.  Here is a bit of trivia-- I invented the Architecture minor at Arizona.  I convinced the Architecture Dean to let me do it, we designed the program, and it was subsequently added to the catalogue and has been there ever since.)

Current Employer & Current Title: U.S Department of State, Foreign Service Officer.  Currently the Director for African Affairs in the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor.  Starting this summer, I will be the Political Advisor to the Commander of the U.S. Army Special Task Force for Africa in Vicenza, Italy.

Previous Employer & Titles: Political and Economic Counselor at U.S. Embassy Tbilisi, Political Advisor to U.S. Africa Command, Political Chief at U.S. Embassy Colombo, Peace Process Officer at U.S. Embassy Tel Aviv, Acting Consul General at U.S. Consulate Juba, et al. 

Activities You Like To Do Outside of Work: Furniture restoration (still learning), playing Pokemon GO, learning new crafts, parenting (mostly parenting).

When at UA, What Leadership Positions Did You Hold in the Chapter: Grand Master

What’s One of Your Favorite Memories of Your Time at UA: When I designed and we all built together the full-scale elephant float with the working spray trunk; Westwood Invasion road trips with the brothers; road trips to San Diego for the America's Cup with the brothers; so many others (all with the brothers).  I am glad that there were no smartphones or social media when we were in school, in case I am ever called for a hearing for Senate confirmation to be an Ambassador! 

What Advice Do You Have For Undergraduates: Remember that the average person changes careers every 5-7 years, so the most important thing to learn in college is how to become the person you want to be, and learn the life skills that will help you in any profession.  I majored in creative writing but didn't make it as a writer, but those writing skills have propelled me in every career I have ever had.