From TU to Capitol Hill and beyond
Jamal Washington ’16 named TU’s first USAID Donald M. Payne International Fellowship Program recipient
By GRACE HOGGARTH '22 on August 26, 2024
From the start of his journey at TU in 2012, Jamal Washington ’16 felt empowered in the arms of a community. Eight years after graduating from TU Washington is living proof that there is power in believing in yourself and it’s never too late to start making a difference.
Washington is the first TU alum to be accepted to the USAID Donald M. Payne International Development Graduate Fellowship Program. The competitive seven-year fellowship program seeks to attract outstanding individuals who are interested in pursuing careers in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
This summer, Washington completed the first component of his fellowship on Capitol Hill, where he worked as a congressional fellow for Congressman Steny Hoyer. For the next two years he’ll attend graduate school at Columbia University during which he will intern at an embassy abroad and upon graduating, be sworn in and sent overseas as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with USAID.
Like many Tigers, Washington didn’t know exactly what he wanted to pursue when he began his education at TU. But the one thing he did know was that he wanted to be involved on campus. His interest in foreign affairs blossomed when he joined TU’s Student Government Association as a senator and later, chief of staff.
“SGA was the trigger for me that shifted everything,” he says. “When I got involved with SGA, I was exposed to all of the multicultural organizations on campus. At that moment, when I started attending meetings, I realized there was something there in the international space that I really liked.”
Washington’s exposure to student organizations through student leadership on campus influenced him to change his degree path to international business in the College of Business and Economics.
“It was the best decision I could have made,” he says. “It opened my eyes to foreign affairs topics. That combined with all the multicultural organizations I was involved in enhanced and elevated my interest in the world beyond what we know here in the U.S.”
Upon graduating Washington began a six-year career at the World Trade Center Institute (WTCI) in Baltimore. He administered the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) and played a key role in the creation of The Albrecht Fellowships, WTCI’s first fellowship program for Baltimore youth. The fellowships expose high school and undergraduate students to learning and networking opportunities that exist right in their backyard with Maryland-based international companies like McCormick and Under Armour.
Making a direct impact on the futures of local students instilled confidence in Washington and pushed foreign affairs to the forefront of his mind.
Though Washington wouldn't change how he got to this point in his career, he couldn’t help but wonder what the outcome would have been if he’d believed in himself and reached for his dream sooner.
As a senior at TU, Washington deeply wanted to pursue fellowship opportunities in the foreign service, namely the Payne Fellowship, but imposter syndrome got the better of him – at the time, he couldn’t fathom becoming a fellow.
He hopes that through leading by example, he can demonstrate to young people growing up in Prince George’s County or going to TU like he did that there is no linear path to achieving their goals. With the Office of Competitive Fellowships & Awards now available to TU students, Washington hopes to contribute to student mentorship whenever possible.
“There weren’t resources like this for me back in 2016,” he says. “There are students who know they want to do something but don’t know where to start. It makes a world of difference when there is somewhere to go. The office is amazing.”
Washington credits his professor of Strategic Management, Mariana Lebrón, for creating a space in her classroom that inspired confidence and encouraged him to take his first steps toward a career in foreign affairs.
“Jamal represents the passion and integrity that is critical to leading positive change in business and society across the world,” says Lebrón, “His leadership voice will continue to inspire others to see possibilities in solving problems that may seem insurmountable, because his voice epitomizes the collaborative resilience and pursuit of innovation our world needs.”
With the first component of his fellowship complete, Washington is going to New York City, where he will be attending Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs to earn a master’s of international affairs, economic and political development.
“It still doesn’t feel real,” he says. “I’ve been blessed—your life changes overnight with an opportunity like this. I’ve been feeling really grateful. I just want to pay it forward.”
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Competitive Fellowships & Awards
Applications for the Donald M. Payne Fellowship Program are now open. Apply today and learn about fellowship opportunities through the Office of Competitive Fellowships & Awards.