4th-year 2016 Pickering Foreign Affairs Graduate Fellow

Russell Hathaway, a 4th-year in the College majoring in Political Science, has been named a 2016 Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellow.  He was selected as one of 20 students from across the nation to receive funding in support of his graduate degree and advanced mentorship as he prepares for a career in the US Foreign Service.

PR from the Washington Center:

The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars and the State Department are pleased to announce the selection of the 2016 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellows – 10 Undergraduate Fellows and 20 Graduate Fellows. Hundreds of applicants from more than 160 different schools competed for this distinguished fellowship.

Managed and funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by The Washington Center, the 2016 Thomas R. Pickering Graduate and Undergraduate Foreign Affairs Fellowship identifies talented students from all ethnic, racial, and social backgrounds who have an interest in pursuing a Foreign Service career. Consideration is given to qualified applicants who, in addition to outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement, demonstrate financial need. Women, members of minority groups historically underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and students with financial need are encouraged to apply. The Department of State strives to assemble a Foreign Service that reflects the excellence and diversity of the United States to the world.

Recipients of the Pickering Fellowship receive two years of financial support, mentoring and professional development to prepare them for a career in the Foreign Service. Fellows also complete a domestic internship at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C. and an overseas internship at a U.S. embassy.

The 2016 Pickering Fellows represent the program’s goals of promoting excellence and diversity. All of the Fellows have studied, worked or lived overseas in countries from Ecuador to Oman to Japan. They come from 26 undergraduate and graduate institutions and 18 different states. They bring diverse experiences to the Fellowship, including backgrounds in: academic research, government agencies, private companies, international development, NGOs, and service organizations such as AmeriCorps, City Year, and Peace Corps.

The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship Program honors one of the most accomplished U.S. Foreign Service Officers of the 20th century. Ambassador Pickering was appointed Career Ambassador, the highest rank in the U.S. Foreign Service. Pickering served in many leading positions around the world during his Foreign Service career, including Ambassador to Nigeria, El Salvador, Israel, India and Russia. He concluded his career as Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs.

“This fellowship contributes to developing the next generation of Foreign Service Officers and we’re proud to be a part of it,” said Michael B. Smith, president of The Washington Center.

For full details about the Pickering Fellowship program and application process, please click here.