On November 19, Christopher Murphy, was awarded a 2022 Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship following a highly competitive nationwide contest. The Thomas R. Pickering Foreign Affairs Fellowship, funded by the U.S. Department of State and managed by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University, supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue a career in the U.S. Foreign Service.

Chris Murphy is a former Gilman, Boren, and Yenching Scholar who majored in Chinese and minored in French at Michigan State University. At the completion of his graduate studies, Chris hopes to kick-start a lifelong career in Public Diplomacy in China, where he dreams of someday serving as the United States first openly gay, Black-appointed ambassador. Outside of classrooms where Chris currently teaches French to German kindergartners in Munich, Germany, Chris also spearheads a YouTube channel whereon he fosters weekly thought-provoking cultural exchanges between Americans and various audiences. Chris looks forward to serving his country and spending the next chapter of his life sharing American success stories with various communities worldwide.

The Thomas R. Pickering Fellowship will support Christopher through a two-year graduate program to receive a master’s degree in an area relevant to the conduct of U.S. foreign policy. It will also provide extensive professional development opportunities, including internships, mentors, and skills training. As part of the Pickering Program, Christopher will have an internship based in Washington, D.C. working with the U.S. Department of State in summer 2023. In the summer of 2024, the U.S. Department of State will send him overseas to work and to gain hands-on experience with U.S. foreign policy and the work of the Foreign Service. Upon graduation, Christopher will become a U.S. Foreign Service Officer, embarking on one of the most challenging and rewarding careers of service to his country. He will work to promote peace and prosperity around the world.