Anne Frederick, C’22, is one of only 20 undergraduate students selected to attend the highly competitive nationwide 2021 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Summer Enrichment Program, a six-week summer program funded by the U.S. Department of State and managed by Howard University. The program is designed to provide undergraduate students with a deeper appreciation of current issues and trends in international affairs, a greater understanding of career opportunities in international affairs and the enhanced knowledge and skills to pursue those careers.
“I feel this program was made for me in a lot of ways,” said Frederick, who studies philosophy, politics and economics (PPE), Italian and theology. “A lot of programs want you to be perfect and know exactly what you plan to do. This program stood out because they offer exposure to available career options, classes and international affairs professionals. This is going to make such a difference for me.”
Frederick has consistently fostered her interest in public service and political science. The Perry Hall, Baltimore County, Maryland, native was a congressional intern in high school and also served as the campaign field director on Delegate Christian Miele’s campaign for state senate. Miele currently serves as the deputy secretary of the Maryland Department of Disabilities. But Frederick says things shifted for her once she studied in Florence, Italy, in February and March of 2020. “I traveled abroad during a pandemic and it showed me the importance of international cooperation,” she explained. Shortly after returning to the U.S., she found the Rangel Summer Enrichment Program—a perfect match to her budding ambitions.
“Anne has excellent leadership potential,” said Associate Professor of Economics Alejandro Cañadas, Ph.D., who led the study abroad program in Florence and wrote a recommendation for Frederick. “She has immense capacity to learn from other cultures and integrate those experiences into her studies. I believe this is a sign of her openness to different cultures and her potential for growth and success in the world.”
The 2021 Summer Enrichment Program begins June 14 and will be remote. Frederick will attend two classes, History of U.S. Foreign Relations and Political Economy, as well as explore graduate school, fellowship, internship, scholarship and professional options in international affairs while working to increase her working knowledge related to economics, foreign policy and writing. She will receive a stipend of $3,200.
Frederick was invited to apply for the Mount’s Office of Competitive Fellowships at the start of her sophomore year and initially declined—but after returning from Italy, she soon realized her interests and experiences had expanded. Together with Christine Blackshaw, Ph.D., professor of Spanish literature and culture and associate director of the Office of Competitive Fellowships, Frederick diligently wrote and edited her Charles B. Rangel Summer Enrichment Program application.
“Dr. Blackshaw was great. She worked with me on so many drafts, and she was very helpful throughout the entire process,” Frederick said. “This was the first application I’ve done with the Fellows, and I will 100% take any recommendations from Dr. Blackshaw or Dr. Gianoutsos.” In the future, Frederick says she plans to apply for a Fulbright Study/Research Award to Italy for graduate school.
“This program is perfect for Anne because she has a passion for public service but recently developed a passion for foreign affairs since studying abroad. I picture Anne (soon) receiving a Fulbright and pursuing her graduate studies in Florence!” Cañadas added.
The Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Program is a U.S. Department of State program designed to attract and prepare young people for careers of international service. Rangel was a U.S. representative for districts in New York from 1971 to 2017.
“We live in a world in which people of many cultures, colors and faiths are actors on the international state. In America diversity is our strength, and we have much to offer in sharing our experience in creating a diverse and harmonious society with our nation’s growing international involvement. There could be no better time to attract the best and most diverse talent to represent the American people in every corner of the globe,” Rangel said.