SW New Mexico News

New Mexico State University social work student Nicole Johnson has been awarded the Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship, a prestigious honor funded by the U.S. Department of State. Out of over 1,000 candidates nationwide, Johnson stood out for her dedication and potential in the field of Foreign Service.

Johnson, who will graduate with honors in May, expressed her gratitude for the support she received at NMSU, stating, “I found a lot of support when I enrolled in NMSU and found so many opportunities through the government department.” As a first-generation college student with dual citizenship in the U.S. and the Comanche Nation, Johnson's background in social work and government studies has fueled her passion for civil rights and social justice.

Reflecting on her journey, Johnson shared, “It was like time stood still for a second and all the work I had done to get to this point was completely validated,” upon receiving the news of her selection for the Rangel Fellowship. She will spend this summer working with a member of the U.S. Congress on foreign affairs issues before heading overseas to work in a U.S. Embassy as part of the fellowship program.

Looking ahead, Johnson aims to be an advocate for human rights globally, particularly for marginalized groups. She hopes to inspire others, especially underprivileged individuals and women of color, to pursue similar opportunities. Johnson emphasized, “There are so many opportunities for underprivileged people and women of color, and I want to really encourage people who feel like these opportunities aren’t for them to give it a try.”

As Johnson prepares to embark on her career in the Foreign Service as a U.S. diplomat, she remains grateful for the opportunities and support she has received, particularly from NMSU’s government department. Her story serves as an inspiration for aspiring diplomats and advocates for social justice worldwide.

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CUTLINE: New Mexico State University social work student Nicole Johnson was selected out of more than 1,000 candidates across the country for the prestigious Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship. Johnson will graduate with honors in May with a BA in social work with minors in government, public law, and American government and politics. (Courtesy photo)