Quantitative social science major Kate Pimentel ’25 received the Rangel Graduate Fellowship on Nov. 15, 2024, Dartmouth News announced on Jan. 10. The fellowship aims to “prepare” recipients for careers in the U.S. Department of State Foreign Service, according to its webpage. Fellows are awarded up to $42,000 annually for the completion of a two-year master’s degree program in addition to a stipend of $18,000 per academic year. The Dartmouth sat down with Pimentel to discuss her journey toward winning the fellowship and how she has explored her interest in foreign affairs at Dartmouth.
What does this accomplishment mean to you?
KP: It feels a little surreal. I’ve really appreciated all the support that my professors and friends and family have given me. I’m still applying to graduate school, still have to undergo security clearance and it’s still another two and a half years before I actually start working. But knowing that all of that stuff is ahead and more or less set in stone is really exciting. After hearing about different people who have gotten to be ambassadors and high ranking officials and learning about it in classes as well, it’s really interesting to think that I can contribute to that. So I guess it’s the culmination of hard work, but super exciting.
When and why did you become interested in policy and service work?
KP: When I was getting ready to come to Dartmouth freshman year, I learned about the First-Year Fellows program and the government department and just how prominent it was on campus. Freshman year, I ended up taking classes in government and public policy, and that introduced me more to the world of policy. Freshman summer, I interned at an NGO that advocates for migrants and temporary workers. That related to my own background and family experiences, and I really enjoy that intersection and learning about it.
Are there any policy issues about which you are particularly passionate?
KP: A lot of my internship work and class work that I’ve been exposed to focuses on Latin America. I’m pretty passionate about international development, economic development and, more specifically, developing countries in Latin America.
How have you been able to foster your interest in foreign affairs here at Dartmouth?
KP: When I was interning at the State Department, I found out about Latin American, Latino and Caribbean studies professor Peter DeShazo, who previously worked at the State Department and was a former ambassador. I have taken two classes already with him. I feel like that was a great segue into foreign affairs — talking with someone who had done the work themselves about what that would look like. By being able to major in quantitative social science, I’ve been able to complete data science projects that relate to policy. And then, just in general, being part of Rockefeller Center for Public Policy programs and attending different events and different leadership programs has allowed me to foster my interest in foreign affairs.
Have you experienced any challenges or setbacks on your journey toward your goal of studying and working in foreign service?
KP: It’s a field where women are underrepresented, so even though I had the chance to intern at the State Department, I could see — in terms of ambassadors, hiring officials and the Secretary of State right now — a lot of men. Just trying to enter that sphere as a woman can be challenging.
This interview has been edited for clarity and length.
