Stephanie Hutchison educates students about foreign service as Diplomat in Residence

Whether aiding refugees in Tanzania, empowering women through grant programs or working on renewable energy in Morocco, Stephanie Hutchison's career in diplomacy has created meaningful experiences and impactful contributions.

After 17 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, she is now serving as the Diplomat in Residence for North Carolina and Virginia, hoping to educate students about opportunities within the U.S. Department of State. Hutchison said the ability to have an impact and engage in work that has meaning has fueled her diplomatic career.

The DIR program serves as a resource for students, veterans, alums and community members who are interested in working for the Department of State and potential careers in diplomacy, Hutchison said. In her capacity as DIR, she said she wants to reach as many students in different schools within the UNC System as she can.

Hutchinson said she is very excited about the prospect of working with UNC’s incredibly bright students. She also has a family connection to campus — her sister has worked for the University for a few decades.

“Even without that I think I would have felt at home right away with the kind welcome that everyone gave me,” she said. "Everyone's very interested in talking to me and helping me make those connections throughout the different parts of the University so I can really spread the word widely.”

Hutchison's virtual student federal service intern Emma Serrano said in an email that she appreciates the opportunity to be mentored by someone who has had an impactful career.

“Stephanie is also extremely kind, inquisitive and frequently asks me how my classes, internships and extracurriculars are going," Serrano wrote. "She cares about her interns' future, and I value the advice and insight she has shared as I consider a career as a diplomat.”

Hutchison graduated from Colby College with a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs and a minor in economics. Upon graduation, she decided she wanted to explore opportunities in the private sector. In her home state of Massachusetts, she found a job in high-tech market research, which, while not glamorous, provided her with a valuable skill set in analytics and data interpretation, setting her up for an eventual career in diplomacy.

After going back to graduate school and unsure about a government career, Hutchison rejoined the private sector as a public policy consultant with a concentration in economic and environmental consulting.

“I was in a firm where there wasn't as much international work as I wanted, but there was one international contract and I got to go to Syria before the war in the early 2000s," she said. "I was sitting around the table with officials from the government, and the lightbulb went off and I thought to myself, 'I have to represent my country overseas in these sorts of situations.' So that's when I pursued the Foreign Service.”

On her first tour, Hutchison had the opportunity to have an impact by organizing a conference to fight against HIV/AIDS in the Caribbean. On top of serving in roles in countries like Spain, Trinidad, Tobago and Portugal, her most notable role was as a political officer in Tanzania.

Pilar Quigua, Foreign Service officer for the State Department, said she feels comfortable exploring different ideas with Hutchison and walking through different processes, even though Hutchison has more years of experience.

"She's super intelligent and super accomplished," Quigua said. "But when I speak with her, I don't feel intimidated. She's very receptive, very open and inclusive."

Hutchison highlighted the appeal of a career in diplomacy, especially for students who would find satisfaction in contributing to U.S. foreign policy goals while witnessing tangible changes on the ground. The lifestyle aspect of diplomatic work includes the chance to travel, immerse oneself in diverse cultures and learn new languages, she said.

While Hutchison describes diplomacy as not only a career but a lifestyle, she finds time to relax at home, listen to music and explore her newfound hobby of cooking. She also spends time with her sister and two dogs, as well as the rest of her family.

Hutchison plans to be involved in multiple on-campus engagements throughout the semester and encourages UNC students and alums to explore careers in diplomacy at the State Department's website.

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