John Lillegard (COL '16) Wins Prestigious Rangel Fellowship

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The Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University is proud to announce that John Lillegard has been awarded a 2022 Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide selection process.  The Rangel Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and administered by Howard University, supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue a career in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State.  The fellowship will support John through a two-year master’s degree in an area of relevance to the Foreign Service.  It will also provide extensive professional development opportunities, including internships, mentors, and skills training.  As part of the Rangel Program, John will intern with a Member of Congress on issues related to foreign affairs in summer 2022.  In summer 2023, the U.S. Department of State will send him overseas to intern in a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to get hands-on experience in U.S. foreign policy and the work of the Foreign Service.  Upon successful completion of the program, John will become a U.S. diplomat in summer 2024, embarking on one of the most challenging and rewarding careers of service to his country.  He will work to advance U.S. interests, protect American citizens, and promote peace and prosperity around the world.

A native of Stanford, Montana, John earned a bachelor’s degree in History and German Studies from the University of Pennsylvania in 2016.  He later taught English for two years with the Peace Corps in Ukraine and served in the Montana Conservation Corps as a youth crew leader.  He also studied abroad for several years in Germany.  John has interned on Capitol Hill with Senator Steve Daines, and he currently works as a legal administrative specialist for the asylum division of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services.  John speaks German and Ukrainian and has also studied Russian and Swedish.  In his spare time, he enjoys reading, hiking, and backpacking.

John’s journey has now led him to the Rangel Fellowship, and he is excited about his career in diplomacy.  Upon receiving the fellowship, John commented, "I am humbled by this opportunity to continue to serve my country.  I am thankful for the many friends, family, educators, and colleagues who have guided me along the way, and who have been examples to me in their service to their community and nation.  I would not be here without the work ethic and core principles I gained from my upbringing in rural Stanford, Montana.  I look forward to bringing these values to my future career as a Foreign Service Officer with the Department of State."

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