By Brittany Bailer
The Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) and Howard University are pleased to announce the selection of the inaugural class of Foreign Agricultural Service Diversity Fellows.
On December 22, 2022, the Foreign Agricultural Service offered four outstanding individuals the opportunity to join the first cohort of FAS Diversity Fellowship Program (FDFP) Fellows. FDFP is a USDA FAS program administered jointly with Howard University. The program was launched in August 2022 to create a path for outstanding students, particularly those from minority groups historically underrepresented at USDA, to pursue careers in the U.S. foreign service.
Selected by a distinguished panel of FAS senior officials out of approximately 100 applicants, the FDFP fellows embody the goals of the fellowship, to enhance excellence and diversity in the Foreign Agricultural Service. The four accepted are Kortni Blalock, Carina Gaz, Kelly Hudson, and Laura Jimenez.
“Howard University is excited by the stellar results of our collaboration with the Foreign Agricultural Service to recruit and select an outstanding inaugural cohort for the Foreign Agricultural Service Diversity Fellowship Program,” said Wayne A.I. Frederick, president of Howard University. “The fellows selected will make important contributions to ensuring that FAS benefits from diverse voices as it advances its critical mission of supporting the U.S. agricultural exports and promoting food security.”
As part of their fellowship, the group will receive funding for two-year graduate programs in Agricultural Economics or Agribusiness, internship opportunities at the FAS Headquarters in Washington DC and at FAS’ offices in embassies and consulates around the world. In this capacity, they will support U.S. agriculture through promoting exports and enhancing understanding of international marketing for agricultural products.
These programs will include professional development activities, mentorship, and a path to employment in the Foreign Agricultural Service.
“This fellowship program will expand the diversity among our Foreign Service Officers and strengthen FAS’s ability to serve American agriculture at U.S. embassies and diplomatic missions around the world,” said FAS Administrator Daniel B. Whitley. “This inaugural group of fellows perfectly exemplifies the range of skills and abilities that minority-serving institutions bring to the table and these students will significantly elevate the impact of the FAS Foreign Service.”
The inaugural fellows represent four universities across the United States, including North Carolina A&T University, California Polytechnic State University – San Luis Obispo, Texas State University, and Texas Tech University. These universities include a Historically Black University (HBCU), two Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI), and one Asian American, Native American and Pacific Islander-Serving Institution (AANAPISI). The 2023 FDFP fellows reflect significant racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity among the higher education landscape.
The inaugural fellows bring outstanding credentials to the program, including undergraduate degrees in Agriculture and International Business. Prior internship and career experiences include being a farm manager, a chef, an international trade program intern for the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, a Peace Corps Volunteer, a FAS intern, and USDA 1890 National Scholar. From Spanish and Tetum, the fellows bring a vast knowledge of global language and have traveled to a variety of countries including Ireland, Timor-Leste, Mexico, China, Australia, France, Spain, Portugal, and Italy.
