In the News Archives - State Magazine

Hispanic Employee Council of Foreign Affairs Agencies board members Isabel Romero (top left), Harold Jahnsen (top second from left), and Camelia Valldejuly (top third from left) speak to students during a networking event during Hispanic Heritage Month, Oct. 14. Photo by Isabel Romero

HECFAA highlights role of Hispanics in diplomacy

By Moises Mendoza The Department of State has been challenged to ensure that its workforce accurately reflects the U.S. population. Despite the fact that 18.5 percent of people in the United States claim Hispanic heritage,...

The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations recently celebrated the ribbon cutting for a new residential complex for Embassy Addis Ababa. The new residence helps advance OBO’s Diplomatic Residential Program by allowing for shorter commutes and providing high-quality, seismically safe, and secure housing for U.S. diplomats and their families. Photo courtesy of OBO

OBO’s survey seeks feedback to improve living conditions

By Connor Horgan The Bureau of Overseas Buildings Operations (OBO) is working to improve the living conditions for all staff serving overseas through its Diplomatic Residential Program (DRP). One of the tools that has significantly...

Diplomatic Security Service Director Carlos Matus (top left) and Assistant Secretary of State for Diplomatic Security Gentry Smith hold a DS commemorative badge at the 76th Session of the U.N. General Assembly in New York City, Sept. 16. The new DS commemorative badge (bottom left, and top center) imitates the original special agent badge (bottom center, and right) from 1916, purportedly designed by Tiffany & Co. in New York. State Department photos

DSS unveils new commemorative badge at U.N. General Assembly

By Julia Paccone Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) special agents received a new addition to their credentials while they protected foreign dignitaries at the 76th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 76), Sept. 21-27....

From left: DACOR President James Dandridge II and UDC President Ronald Mason, Jr. sign an MOU to create a pilot partnership that will provide DACOR mentors for undergraduate students enrolled in global studies courses at the University of the District of Columbia, September 2021. Photo by Jenifer Morris

DACOR and University of the District of Columbia sign mentoring agreement

By Tom Brannan Seeking to diversify the talent pipeline leading to careers in the Department of State, DACOR—a Washington-based organization of foreign affairs professionals—and the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) signed a memorandum...

The Department’s Chief Data Officer Matthew Graviss (center) and Director of the Office of Management Strategy and Solutions Janice deGarmo (right) look on as Deputy Secretary for Management and Resources Brian P. McKeon (left) signs the first-ever Enterprise Data Strategy ceremony at Main State in Washington, September 2021. State Department photo

Department’s novel enterprise data strategy drives change

By Matthew Graviss The September 2021 release of the Department of State’s “Enterprise Data Strategy (EDS)—Empowering Data Informed Diplomacy,” marked a major milestone in its transformation into a more data-centric organization. The Department’s first-ever data...

From left: Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness and Embassy Kingston Chargé d’Affaires John McIntyre stand for a moment of silence during the unveiling ceremony, Nov. 4. Photo by Cleo Walker Smith

Embassy Kingston honors Colin Powell’s legacy

By Bobby Adelson Embassy Kingston honored the late, former-Secretary of State Colin Powell, whose parents were both born in Jamaica, with a wreath laying ceremony and a permanent installation of Powell's official portrait in the...

Special Presidential Envoy John Kerry, President Joe Biden, Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen, and National Economic Council Director Brian Deese participate in Session 2 on Investing in Climate Solutions at the Virtual Leaders Summit on Climate in Washington, April 22. Photo by Adam Schultz

Department prepares for climate crisis conference in Glasgow

By Ryann Howard Scientific findings have made it abundantly clear—all countries must dramatically scale up efforts between now and 2030 to meet the global goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius and mitigate the worst impacts of climate change. The Leaders Summit on...