Calvin Lee Hayes, a FAMU alumnus, has been awarded a 2011 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide contest. The Rangel Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and managed by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University, supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue a career in the U.S. Foreign Service. “FAMU has given me the tools to help transform democracies, empower communities and improve the human condition both domestic and abroad,” said Hayes. “My love for public service has compelled me to take on a cause much greater than myself in order to ultimately contribute to the greater good of all humanity.”
The Director of the Rangel Program, Patricia Scroggs, said, “We are thrilled to have Calvin as part of the program. Calvin has already shown impressive leadership, academic accomplishments and integrity in his life. I have no doubt that he will excel in graduate school and make important contributions to promoting global peace and prosperity as a U.S. diplomat.”
Originally from Orlando, Fla., Hayes graduated from FAMU in December, 2010 with a bachelor of science in public relations. While a student at FAMU, Hayes was very active in student life and took advantage of numerous opportunities to learn and serve both on campus and overseas. Hayes served as FAMU’s student body vice-president during the 2009-2010 academic year, a correspondent for the FAMUan student newspaper, and president of FAMU’s chapter of the NAACP. Also during the summer of 2009, Hayes interned at the United States Embassy in Pretoria, South Africa where he, among other duties, served as a site officer for Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to South Africa.
Since graduating, Hayes received the Congressional Black Caucus Emerging Leaders Fellowship and is currently interning for Congresswoman Marcia L. Fudge from the 11th District of Ohio. He focuses on international affairs issues and participates in many of the foreign affairs briefings held in both the House and Senate.
The Rangel Fellowship will provide Hayes with approximately $90,000 in benefits over a two-year period to pursue a master’s degree in international communication at the American University School of International Studies. As part of the Rangel Program, he will work this summer for the Bureau of Legislative Affairs in the U.S. Department of State. In the summer of 2012, he will serve in a U.S. Embassy to get hands-on experience with U.S. foreign policy and the work of the Foreign Service.
Upon graduation, he will become a U.S. diplomat, embarking on a uniquely rewarding and challenging career of service to the U.S. and global communities.