Diplomats in Residence

Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers and Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice on careers, internships and fellowships to professionals and students in the communities they serve. DIRs are available to answer questions and share insight with those interested in Foreign and Civil Service careers, internships and fellowships. ^[1] Diplomats in Residence cover 17 regions that encompass the United States and its territories. These Foreign Service officials have roles similar to those of corporate or collegiate recruiters: traveling in an assigned region, planning recruitment events and acting as a resource for anyone interested in a career with the U.S. Department of State.

The first Diplomat in Residence was Charles F. Baldwin, one time U.S. Ambassador to Malaysia, at the University of Virginia in 1965. The term was created in the tradition of the University of Virginia's Writer in Residence and Historian in Residence. ^[2]

Regions

• Allegheny (OH, PA, WV) – covered by Sherry Zalika Sykes, who sits at the University of Pittsburgh.
• Central (IA, KS, MO, NE, ND, SD) – covered by Sara Veldhuizen Stealy, who sits at Washington University in St. Louis.
• Central South (AR, LA, MS, OK) – covered by Shane Hough, who sits at Tulane University.
• DC Metro (DC, DE, MD) – covered by John Dinkelman, who sits at Howard University.
• Florida (FL, PR, USVI) – covered by Jacqueline “Jackie” Fields, who sits at Florida International University.
• Mid-Atlantic (NC, VA) – covered by Stephanie Hutchison, who sits at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Duke University.
• Midwest (IL, MN, WI) – covered by Susan Falatko, who sits at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
• New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT) – covered by Michelle Kayser, who sits at Tufts University.
• North Central (IN, KY, MI, TN) – covered by Ken Roy, who sits at the University of Michigan.
• Northern and Central California (Northern and Central California) – covered by Susan Wong, who sits at the University of California, Berkeley.
• Northwest (AK, OR, WA) – covered by Dara Yin, who sits at the University of Washington.
• New York Metro (NJ, NY) – covered by Eric Aldrich, who sits at City College of New York.
• Rocky Mountains (CO, ID, MT, UT, WY) – covered by Denver Herren, who sits at the University of Denver.
• South (AL, GA, SC) – covered by Andrei Cotton, who sits at Morehouse College and Spelman College.
• Southern California (Southern CA, HI, American Samoa, Guam, CNMI) – represented by Katelyn Choe, who sits at the University of California, Los Angeles.
• Southwest (AZ, NM, NV) – currently vacant.
• Texas (TX) – covered by Daniel A. Stewart, who sits at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Texas at Dallas.

References

1. "Connect with a Diplomat" . Retrieved 2025-02-12.
2. "University Chooses Chas. Baldwin For New Residence Post". State Department Newsletter: 18. November 1964 – via Hathitrust.

External Links

• Connect with a Diplomat