U.S. Dept of State Fellowship Opportunity for Community College Students

The American Association of Community College (AACC) sponsors this one-hour webinar featuring speakers from the U.S. Department of State and the Foreign Affairs Information Technology (FAIT) Fellowship.

This webinar is designed to provide helpful information for faculty and advisors at community colleges who want to help and advise their students interested in this opportunity. Community college students are also welcome to attend.

Funded by the Department of State, the FAIT Fellowship is now entering its ninth year of selecting candidates for this two-year diversity program.

This is a unique opportunity for community college students interested in pursuing an IT-related bachelor's degree to receive academic funding for the last two years of their degree program. The FAIT Fellowship also prepares fellows to enter the Foreign Service as a Diplomatic Technology Officer.

Now is a great time to encourage your students who are thinking about entering a full-time bachelor's degree program in fall 2025. Applications for the 2025 cohort are being accepted Sep 16, 2024 through Jan 21, 2025.

The FAIT Fellowship provides:

• Up to $43,500 annually in academic funding for the junior and senior years of their bachelor’s degree program


• Two paid summer internships (the first summer at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. and the second summer at a U.S. embassy or consultate overseas) with stipend support


• Professional development and personalized mentoring

Upon successful completion of the FAIT Fellowship and the Foreign Service entry requirements, FAIT Fellows receive an appointment in the Foreign Service as a full-time Diplomatic Technology Officer.

Through the FAIT Fellowship program, the State Department seeks to attract top technology talent to the Foreign Service that reflects the diversity of the United States. Women, members of minority groups underrepresented in the Foreign Service, and those with financial need, are all encouraged to apply.

Don’t miss this great opportunity to hear directly from the Department of State and find out how you can support your qualified IT students who might apply for this unique program.

You’ll hear:

• An overview of the FAIT Fellowship program and the role of a Diplomatic Technology Officer in the Foreign Service


• How the FAIT Fellowship program is aligned with the Department of State's goals to attract top tech talent that reflects the diversity of the United States


• Eligibility requirements, including guidance on what to do if you are unsure whether a degree program is eligible


• What is covered in the academic funding of up to $43,500 annually for two years


• What is required of students who are accepted into the FAIT Fellowship program (such as, summer internships, attending the professional development series, Foreign Service appointment)


• The role of the Diplomat in Residence (DIR) at colleges/universities and how to get in touch with the DIR in your region


• Options for spreading the word – virtual info sessions, in-person info sessions, printed or digital materials from TWC


• And much more!

Our presenters include:

• Patti Boerner, Program Manager for the FAIT Fellowship, U.S. Department of State


• Antoinette Hurtado, Diplomat in Residence – Southwest, U.S. Department of State


• Dave Pernal, National Recruiter, Global Talent Management, U.S. Department of State


• Iyoeul Endashaw, FAIT Fellow 2023 Cohort and Northern Virginia Community College Alumnus


• Heidi Ramaeker, Manager, Marketing and Outreach, FAIT Fellowship, The Washington Center