Madison Romo (Pardee ’22) Awarded Charles B. Rangel Fellowship
Madison Romo (Pardee ’22), a graduate of Boston University’s Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies who majored in International Relations with a concentration in Foreign Policy and Security, has been awarded a Charles B. Rangel Graduate Fellowship.
The Rangel Graduate Fellowship is a program that aims to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State in which they can help formulate, represent, and implement U.S. foreign policy. The Rangel Program selects outstanding Rangel Fellows annually in a highly competitive nationwide process and supports them through two years of graduate study, internships, mentoring, and professional development activities.
When asked to comment on her fellowship, Romo stated:
I am extremely honored to have been selected for the 2023 Rangel Fellowship and the opportunity to pursue my dream of building a career in diplomacy. I am beyond grateful to serve my country as part of the U.S. Department of State and to contribute to its critical work to support democracy and protect human rights globally. Moreover, as a Mexican-American, this opportunity will allow me to contribute to building a more diverse foreign service that is able to represent the rich diversity of the United States around the world. For me, receiving the Rangel Fellowship is truly a dream come true.
On my journey to receiving this fellowship, I have had the support and encouragement of so many amazing professors, mentors, and friends at Boston University. I truly could not have achieved this goal without them and my experiences at the Pardee School. In particular, I would like to thank Professor Erik Goldstein and Ambassador Vesko Garčević for sharing their knowledge and experiences with me in their courses and for being sources of constant support and encouragement in my academic and professional pursuits. I would also like to thank Ambassador Storella for being a wonderful mentor and resource in preparation for the Fellowship selection process and for advice about moving forward into a career with the Foreign Service.
Fellows who successfully complete the program and Foreign Service entry requirements will receive appointments as Foreign Service Officers, in accordance with applicable law and State Department policy.
“It is wonderful to see Madison accepted into this prestigious program. She is precisely the kind of person America needs to lead our diplomacy in an increasingly complex world,” said Ambassador Mark Storella, Pardee School Professor of the Practice of Diplomacy and Director of the School’s African Studies Center. “She will bring to American diplomacy striking poise and leadership ability. It is so gratifying to see some of Boston University’s best students commit themselves to public service.”
For more information on the Rangel fellowship and other opportunities, visit the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program’s website.