Shamarcus Doty ’20 is one of 30 students from 29 different universities across the country selected as a 2020 Rangel Graduate Fellow.
The fellowship provides entry into the United States Foreign Service as a foreign service officer (FSO). It also helps finance a two-year graduate program, provides two summer internships, mentoring from an FSO, and professional development activities.
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program, which offers the fellowship, is a U.S. Department of State program administered by Howard University to prepare graduates for careers in international service. It was created in 2002 to promote greater diversity and excellence within the Foreign Service.
Doty, an African studies major from Lexington, Miss., applied for the Rangel because it aligned with his long-term career goals.
“I fell in love with the fact that I would be able to travel, learn many languages, meet a diverse range of people, and impact the lives of others on a global scale,” he said.
Doty competed with more than 800 other applicants for the position and began his application while working at Amnesty International in Ghana last summer.
He remained in Ghana during the fall semester as part of an approved study abroad program at the School for International Training. But, when he was selected as one of 60 Rangel finalists in November, he paused his studies of social realities, field-based research methods, and the Asante Twi language to return to the United States for the interview stage of the selection process.
“I felt nervous, but interacting with other finalists and Rangel staff eased my way,” Doty said.
It turns out that he didn’t need to be nervous — while en route to the airport for his return trip to Ghana, he was notified that he had been selected.
“I am most excited about the internships on Capitol Hill and overseas at a U.S. embassy,” Doty said. “Through these internships, I will be able to have my first taste of foreign service work and build my skills to effectively serve as a foreign service officer.”
Doty is committed to five years in the Foreign Service after completing his graduate degree.
“I look forward to making it a life-long career,” he said. “It is an honor I am proud to have achieved.”
On campus, Doty is an Office of Undergraduate Studies (OUS) scholar, member of the MELANATED Dance Company, and intern at the Keck Language Center and Residential Life office.
“Being an OUS scholar showed me that there is a need not only for more representation of people from diverse backgrounds, but also for their cultures and voices to be represented in diplomacy,” Doty said. “With more representation of diversity in the United States, I believe we can create a more connected global community.”
Doty hopes other students of color will apply for the Rangel and similar fellowships that allow recipients to serve their country while making a global impact.
“We, as people of color, are much needed in these roles,” he said.
Colgate students and alumni have been awarded many of the most competitive national and international fellowships and scholarships. For more information, visit the Office of National Fellowships and Scholarships.