ASU gains new partnership with US State Department through Diplomat in Residence program

For years, ASU has had a strong relationship with the U.S. Department of State, sending many students to their internship and fellowship programs, and many alumni to apply for their foreign service and civil service careers.

The university’s partnership with the State Department continues to evolve, with Antoinette Hurtado joining the Sun Devil community as the Diplomat in Residence for the Southwest.

Hurtado has served as a foreign service officer in the U.S. Department of State for 19 years and has had a passion for mentoring and coaching students and young professionals from underrepresented groups throughout her career.

She has served overseas in several assignments and in roles at the department’s headquarters in Washington, D.C., such as in the 24/7 Bureau of Intelligence and Research watch office and as an advance officer for the Secretary of State, arranging overseas and domestic travel programs and logistics for the secretary.

Under her new role as Diplomat in Residence for the Southwest, Hurtado serves as the regional resource and recruiter for ASU students and alumni interested in opportunities with the U.S. Department of State. 

“I am here as a resource to help clarify the range of opportunities with the State Department, the application processes and tips for competitive applications,” Hurtado said.

The U.S. State Department “represents America, Americans and U.S. foreign policy overseas, and to do that effectively, we must be true to that range of representation," Hurtato said. "ASU has an incredibly diverse student body, and it recently received the Hispanic Serving Institution designation for its (Tempe) campus.”

Hurtado said that the department is looking to fill foreign service specialist positions, roles in fields such as engineering, IT, law enforcement, management, medicine, operations and more.

"Often many people don't realize we are hiring for such roles, but we are," she said. "That makes ASU another great fit for an affiliation, as it has such a wide variety of majors and programs that apply to the breadth of our career opportunities. We always love to see international relations and political science majors, but STEM students, we're looking for you, too.”

Hurtado said she has always admired the passion of the Sun Devil community, and has a great appreciation for the variety of backgrounds and ideas present. 

“Being a foreign service officer for 19 years now, I have had the adventure of a lifetime. From being posted to Australia, Brazil, Afghanistan and Italy, to traveling to so many other countries in between, I have seen the world and met so many interesting people — including the pope!” Hurtado said. “And, other than the obvious travel perks, another joy and the main reason I joined the foreign service is that I know the work I do matters — from helping one American through a difficult situation overseas to making an impact on the biggest policy issue. We are truly in public service, and global service, at the State Department. At ASU, I hope to meet and inspire the next generation of diplomats who will join us in this mission.”

Fellowship and career opportunities

Are you interested in a career as a diplomat? Are you looking for a way to pay for graduate school? The U.S. Department of State fellowship season is here.

Three out of the four fellowships offered are open now for application. Students and college graduates interested in earning a master’s degree and pursuing a career in the foreign service can apply now through late September for the Pickering, Rangel and Clarke Graduate Fellowships. Contact ASU’s Diplomat in Residence, Antoinette Hurtado, at DIRSouthwest@state.gov for any questions and ensure that your materials are reviewed by career services or scholarship advisors prior to submitting.

Learn more about opportunities with the U.S. Department of State at https://careers.state.gov.