PBS Documentary “To the Contrary” Highlights Diversity Efforts at US Department of State

Patricia Scroggs, Director, Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program

Given a shared commitment to diversity in the public service, as the Admissions Director for Maxwell’s MPA and MA IR degree programs, I have had the pleasure of working with both the Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship Program and the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program.  Over the years, we have had any number of Rangel and Pickering Fellows enter the doors of Maxwell.

I have been able to work very closely with the Rangel program since it was started in 2002.  I still recall the first meeting I had with the Director, Patricia Scroggs when Dominic Randazzo and Jennifer Hangdog enrolled in Maxwell’s MPA/MA IR joint degree program as our first Rangel Fellows [Dominic is now serving in Rwanda and Jennifer is back in the states in a DC posting.] Over the years I have also spoken to the Rangel Undergraduate Summer Scholars about graduate study in international and public affairs (this is where I first met Keome Rowe), and was honored to serve on the selection committee for the Rangel Graduate Fellowship program from 2012 to 2014. This three year term was very rewarding as I got to know many more promising young foreign services professionals than I would have in the normal course of my work.

The new PBS documentary, “To the Contrary” provides an excellent lens into the State Department’s efforts to diversify the US Foreign Service.  Linda Thomas-Greenfield, Assistant Secretary, speaks to the many supports and programs that are operating to these aims – and yet to the work that still needs to be done.  The documentary spotlights both the Rangel and Pickering programs, as well as many employee affinity groups at the Department of State.  You can access the (25 minute) video here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Vgi3ZZW5Kk&feature=youtu.be   Pickering Fellow and Maxwellalum (MPA/MA IR 2003), Lia Miller is featured in the documentary, as is the most recent class of Rangel Fellows.

This year both Keome Rowe (now a Rangel Graduate Fellow) and Ashley Simmons (Pickering) entered Maxwell for graduate study in IR/PA.  We are also pleased to see that the success of the Charles B. Rangel program was recognized and rewarded with a significant increase in funding from the government.  In 2015 they will be able to support 30 new fellows (with increased stipends), up from 20 that have been traditionally selected.  Very good news indeed!!

For our part, Maxwell’s PAIA Department provides a matching grant of $15,000 per year to each entering Rangel Fellow (for the MPA/MA IR two year dual degree program) and provides second year tuition for each entering Pickering Fellow (with the initial year of study is covered by the Fellowship).