Excellence Award

Sabina Bhatia, Grad ’89
Washington, D.C.

Sabina Bhatia’s three-decades-long career with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has its roots in her years at Marquette.

She credits Richard Friman, professor of political science, for first introducing her to the field of international political economy. And Sabina says the Marquette values of excellence, faith, leadership, and service motivated her to “want to lead a life filled with intention, purpose, and public service.”

“I love working in an international organization that serves 190 member countries,” Sabina says. She is a strong believer in international cooperation, particularly as a way to promote economic prosperity and reduce poverty, and she relishes the diversity that comes from working with people all over the globe.

Outside of her job, Sabina is involved in a nongovernmental organization called Ek Tara, based in Kolkata, India, where she was born and raised. The organization provides education to girls in one of the poorest slums in Kolkata. “I have been involved with the school for over a decade,” she says, “and have also sponsored a library in that school, in honor of my late mother, who was a schoolteacher and believed deeply in the power of educating girls as a way of improving their life chances.”

Sabina is a product of Jesuit education. She began her college career at St. Xavier’s College in Kolkata before following her older sister to Marquette for graduate school. She later went on to get a second master’s degree in applied economics from Johns Hopkins University.

“I am deeply honored to receive this award,” she says, “and I hope to continue to embody the principles of excellence, leadership, and public service that Marquette taught me.”

Fun Facts:

Name someone (past or present) with whom you'd like to have dinner.
Ruth Bader Ginsburg

What is one of your favorite Marquette memories?
Attending Summerfest

Leave a congratulatory message for Sabina!