Forrest Gatrell
Syracuse University, Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs
CLASS YEAR: 2025
Forrest Gatrell is pursuing a dual Master’s degree in Public Administration and International Relations at Syracuse University’s Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs. A Midwest native, Forrest graduated with high distinction honors from Indiana University (IU) Bloomington, where he earned Bachelor’s degrees in Political Science and French. His undergraduate experience focused on applying quantitative methods to political science research as an inaugural member of the Indiana Political Analysis Workshop. His academic concentrations also focused on international relations in the francophone world with Forrest studying abroad at France’s Sciences Po grande école in Aix-en-Provence. During his undergraduate career, Forrest served as a campaign fellow for a 2018 Indiana congressional candidate, as an intern at the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service Institute, as a State Department student liaison for IU, and as an AmeriCorps volunteer at a local Boys & Girls Club.
Since graduating from IU in 2020, Forrest has worked in the private sector as a personal injury paralegal in his hometown of Terre Haute, Indiana and more recently in the capital of Indianapolis. In his last role, Forrest created a niche market for organic growth at an established, large-sized firm to provide full personal injury legal services in French for under-served immigrant populations in Indianapolis, and he personally recovered over $3 million for injured victims in pre-litigation settlements. While preparing for a return to his planned public service career path amidst the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, Forrest volunteered in several grassroots political organizations and as an active member of the Indianapolis Hebrew Congregation. His involvement in the community has led to his recognition as a 2022-2023 Emerging Leader within the Indiana Democratic Party and as a 2023 Jewish Changemaker within the Jewish Federations of North America. After graduating from Syracuse University’s Maxwell School, Forrest aims to join the State Department’s Foreign Service as a consular or political officer.