Wendy Bashnan knew when she joined the U.S. Diplomatic Security Service that seventy percent of her career would be spent overseas.

“That type of life is not for everyone, but I really enjoy it,” said Bashnan, a Walterboro, S.C., native who has a bachelor's degree in political science and a master's degree in criminal justice from Carolina. “My assignments have included serving as a regional security officer at our embassies in Cairo, Egypt; Georgetown, Guyana; and Asmara, Eritrea.”

Her current assignment is Beijing, China, and the 2008 Olympic Games.

“My unit is involved in international security and major event coordination,” she said. “For example, other members of my unit recently coordinated a Middle Eastern summit. I currently am Deputy Olympic Security Coordinator to the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.

“The Chinese are preparing for the safety of everyone who comes to the Olympics,” she said. “We work with the Chinese to make sure Americans are secure. After 9/11, it became obvious that Americans are targets abroad.

“Many people think we are part of the U.S. Secret Service, but we aren't. The Secret Service protects heads of state. We protect everyone else. We help the host country by keeping Americans safe. We have four functional areas we are concerned with: athletes and coaches, visiting delegations, American corporate sponsors, and U.S. spectators. This year marks the first time a standing U.S. president will be at a foreign Olympics, and his safety is a huge consideration for us.

“We also work with the FBI, the Secret Service, the Department of Energy, and the Centers for Disease Control in ensuring the safety of Americans. We also work closely with U.S. allies, such as the Brits, Canadians, and Australians.

“The largest challenges we have faced so far are just the cultural differences,” she said. “Communist countries are very different from democratic countries. We educate our constituents and our government by explaining how things are done in China. In many ways, we become cultural advisors.”

From a family full of Carolina graduates, Bashnan totally immersed herself in university life. She was involved in student government, the Young Republicans, and Kappa Kappa Gamma sorority. She particularly remembers two criminal justice professors at Carolina who kept her interested and engaged: Joann Morton and Geoffrey Alpert.

Bashnan joined the Diplomatic Security Service in 1994, and it has been a perfect fit. “I was always interested in international security, law enforcement, and the law, but I didn't want to wear a uniform,” she joked. “I'm fortunate to have chosen a career area early on and stuck with it. I'm still having as much fun as when I was a young agent.”