Going Places

This fall, Mitchell begins a new chapter: She was selected for a prestigious Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship, which supports her pursuit of a master’s degree in Asian studies at the Walsh School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. It also offers the unique opportunity to serve in the U.S. Department of State’s Foreign Service program. 

“Being selected to be a Pickering Fellow, in short, is a dream come true,” says Mitchell, a resident of Herndon, Virginia.

“These amazing experiences as a Shansi Fellow inspired me to pursue the Pickering Fellowship as a means to continue my dedication to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility in international affairs.”

Mitchell credits her Oberlin experience—including the support of faculty mentors such as Candice Raynor in Africana studies and education studies—with preparing her for both Shansi and Pickering. Her impressive tally of on-campus experiences includes serving as a student representative for the Presidential Initiative on Racial Equity and Diversity; as vice chair of  student senate; lead organizer for campus-wide co-curricular events such as Kumba Week, Kwanzaa Celebration, and Black History Month programming; and, notably, as program assistant and resident assistant at Afrikan Heritage House, the on-campus program house designated as a safe space for students of the African diaspora.

“These experiences deepened my appreciation for the power of inclusive and diverse environments in shaping meaningful connections and driving positive change,” she says.

“Living and working at the Afrikan Heritage House helped me solidify my commitment to pursuing a career in the Foreign Service, where I can continue to promote these values on a global scale.

“Whether it’s through diplomatic negotiations, cultural exchanges, or policy initiatives, I want to actively work toward creating a more inclusive and cooperative international community,” Mitchell says. “I am deeply committed to promoting diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility within the field, and the Pickering Fellowship serves as a powerful catalyst to help me achieve this vision.”