As the Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games unfold across northern Italy, LBJ School alumna Rebecca “Becky” McKnight (MPAff ’08) is at the center of operations, ensuring Team USA can compete safely and securely. Serving as deputy U.S. Olympic security coordinator with the U.S. Department of State’s Diplomatic Security Service, she has spent nearly two years in Italy preparing for this global event, coordinating with Italian law enforcement, the Games’ organizing committee, and U.S. interagency partners.
McKnight’s path to Milan began decades earlier on the Forty Acres. As an undergraduate at UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business, she often walked past the LBJ School and felt drawn to our mission.
“There was something about it—the focus on public service, the sense of purpose—that pulled at me. Even then, I remember thinking, one day, maybe that’s where I belong.”
When it came time to apply to graduate programs, McKnight’s heart was already set on LBJ. Acceptance into the Master of Public Affairs program, along with the Ben Barnes Fellowship, affirmed that she was stepping into the right next chapter. At LBJ, professors like Pat Wong challenged her to push beyond her limits, strengthen her leadership skills, and navigate complex team dynamics — lessons that continue to shape her work today.
After graduation, McKnight began her federal career at the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Inspector General before joining the Diplomatic Security Service, where she has served in global assignments protecting U.S. personnel and interests. For nearly two years, she and her team in Italy laid the groundwork for Olympic security. From preparing detailed venue reports, coordinating crisis-management exercises, and building a deep network of contacts.
Now that the Games are underway, her role is fast-moving and dynamic. She remains in constant contact with DSS agents supporting Team USA, works closely with Italian law enforcement, and regularly visits venues to ensure operations run smoothly.
“There’s something almost magical about seeing the security plan operate the way it was designed to—smoothly, cohesively, and with everyone stepping into their roles exactly as envisioned.”
McKnight credits her LBJ experience for much of her effectiveness. Group projects with diverse teammates taught her how to adapt quickly, communicate clearly, and navigate high-pressure environments, skills that directly translate to managing complex international operations.
For students interested in international public service, she offers this advice:
“Don’t give up on your dream, even if the path isn’t linear. I always wanted a career that would take me around the world. It didn’t happen immediately after graduation, and there were a few detours along the way — but I stayed focused on the long-term goal.”
Today, in Milan, she is living that dream, representing the very spirit of public service that first drew her to the LBJ School.
Click here to learn more about the Master of Public Affairs program. Applications close May 1.
