Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at MSFS

Inclusionary International Development Series

Professor Shanta Devarajan, Chair of the MSFS International Development concentration, along with MSFS Research Fellow Kai Stuckey (second year) work together to present the first Inclusionary Development Series. The purpose of this series is to increase awareness of perpetual colonialism in international development and convene on different topics towards decolonizing the study and practice of international development. The series includes associated readings and media pertaining to topics of governance, aid, trade policy, state fragility, and more. They invite all students within SFS from all concentrations and programs to engage in rich dialogue with each other, guest speakers, and to continue such imperative conversations within and outside of the Georgetown community

MSFS DEI Dialogues

The MSFS Student DEI Dialogues are a critical touch point for all first and second years to speak candidly and respectfully about issues, advancements, and ideas towards making the MSFS program and Georgetown University more inclusive. Ranging from general open discussions to targeted themes, students may express what areas of student life, curriculum, courses, etc. they feel need to be immediately addressed and brought to MSFS faculty and staff attention in order to instill intentional structural change and commit to Georgetown’s values of inclusion, leadership, ethics, and service.

MSFS DEI Skills Clinics

The MSFS DEI Skills Clinics, piloted by MSFS and the MASIA program, have been expanded to be offered to all SFS programs starting Fall 2022.

The MSFS Futures Scholarship

The M.S. in Foreign Service program is excited to launch the MSFS Futures Scholarship, a full-tuition graduate scholarship and stipend that will be awarded to an MSFS student whose background or experience will uniquely enable them to contribute to the diversity of the MSFS community. As the university responds to a global pandemic, a shifting world order, and inequities and injustices across our country and world, MSFS recognizes that tomorrow’s leaders must be drawn from diverse communities, backgrounds, and perspectives. Listening to diverse voices improves MSFS students’ ability to understand and lead, and the program is committed to recruiting the most talented students that reflect the fullness of the world we live in. Make a gift to the MSFS Futures Scholarship.

MSFS DEI Committee 2020-2021 End of Year Report

In June 2020, the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program established a committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to address systemic racism in all aspects of the MSFS program. The committee is composed of faculty, staff, current students and alumni. Over the past year, the committee has met monthly to identify and create strategic plans for addressing DEI challenges within the MSFS program. Six key areas of the MSFS program were identified: Admissions, Curriculum, Culture, Faculty/Staff Recruitment, Communication, and Placement. The following report outlines initial goals for each of these areas, progress made on those goals, and future plans for the MSFS DEI committee and the MSFS leadership team. View the report here.

MSFS Syllabus Review

In June 2020, the Master of Science in Foreign Service (MSFS) program established a committee on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) to address systemic racism in all aspects of the MSFS program. One part of that effort is the curriculum. As a first step towards a more inclusive curriculum, the DEI committee has conducted a review of all MSFS course syllabi for representation of women and people of color domestically and internationally among the authors of the readings.

Fall 2021 Syllabus Review

Spring 2021 Syllabus Review

Fall 2020 Syllabus Review

Resources on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion for Georgetown Graduate Students

Student leaders in Diversity and Inclusion at Georgetown have compiled a Graduate Student Guide on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion intended for Georgetown University graduate students who are interested in improving diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts within our community. While the University takes steps to address student concerns, particularly in the move towards anti-racism, Diversity and Inclusion at Georgetown is presenting this guide to encourage transparency and demand accountability from our institution. Additionally, we wish to provide actions that students can take immediately to advance DEI from the bottom-up. View the guide here.

MSFS is grateful for our student leaders in DEI efforts. Our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion student representatives Kailyn Stuckey and Bongiwe Bongwe (MSFS’22) serve on the DEI committee to help advance our strategic objectives.

MSFS Student Recruitment

The MSFS Program is a participating or partner member of various programs that help diverse students pursue careers in public and international affairs. Some of these programs include:

The Association of Professional Schools in International Affairs (APSIA);
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program;
The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship;
The USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program; and
The Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA).

In Fall 2020, MSFS sought to engage students from a variety of backgrounds by hosting campus-specific outreach events at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSIs) and women’s colleges.

Outreach events included:

Spelman College
Morehouse College
Florida International University
University of South Florida
Wellesley College’s Madeleine Albright Institute for Global Affairs