Mercedes Crosby

Mercedes Crosby

Boston native Mercedes Crosby was recently selected as a 2009 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellow following a 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 individuals who want to pursue careers in the U.S. Foreign Service.

“Mercedes’ strong educational and family background in Boston, along with her character, intelligence, and commitment to public service, allowed her to excel in a very competitive selection process,” said Rangel Program Manager Patricia Scroggs. “The Rangel Program is thrilled to have Mercedes as a fellow, and I know she will represent the United States in the most positive light as a U.S. diplomat.”

Crosby received a bachelor’s degree in sociology from Howard in 2007. During her time at Howard, she won a Patricia Roberts Harris Fellowship, which allowed her to work for Visions in Action, a small Washington-based nonprofit organization that deals with development issues in sub-Saharan Africa. She also performed service work in South Africa and Costa Rica.

Since graduating, Crosby has taught in an elementary school in rural Honduras for two years. She plans to use the fellowship to pursue a master’s degree at the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. She will join the U.S. Foreign Service upon graduation.

The Rangel Fellowship will provide Crosby with $34,000 annually in assistance for tuition, room, board and other related expenses for a two-year master’s degree in international affairs. Through the program, she will work on international affairs for a member of the U.S. Congress this summer; next summer, the Department of State will send her overseas to get hands-on foreign policy experience in a U.S. embassy.