(Credit: thedig.howard.edu)   Darion K. Akins, a career Foreign Service Officer, is the new DC Metro Diplomat-in Residence at Howard University

DIPLOMATIC  TIMES  STAFF

WASHINGTON –   Howard University’s Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center announced the appointment of career Foreign Service Officer Darion K. Akins as its new DC Metro Diplomat-in Residence. Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career foreign service officers and specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice on careers, internships, and fellowships to students and professionals in the communities they serve.

“We are so fortunate to have a Diplomat-in-Residence at HU, and especially to have Mr. Akins with his wealth and breadth of knowledge and experience to share with our students,” said Tonija Hope, director of  the Bunche Center. “We hope that students will take advantage of his presence to learn about life in the Foreign Service generally as well as all the programs, including internships, that are offered to chart a path to careers in the U.S. Department of State.” 

Mr. Akins is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, class of counselor, who is currently serving as the Diplomat-in-Residence (DIR) for the District of Columbia (D.C.) Metro area. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Consul General for Northern Germany at U.S. Consulate General Hamburg. He also previously served in Malaysia, India, Afghanistan, Australia, and Indonesia. After earning a master’s degree in national security strategy at the National War College in Washington, D.C., he served as the Human Resources Division Chief in the Executive Office for European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) and International Organizations (IO). Prior to joining the foreign service, he was an educator and a Peace Corps Volunteer. Although born in the great state of Oklahoma, he calls Texas home. He solidified his Lone Star State status after graduating Texas A&M University in College Station with a bachelor of science degree in political science and management. His languages are German, Japanese, and ChiNyanja. 

The DIR program “is central to the effort to recruit for the foreign service, civil service, and student programs the best and brightest to represent America’s rich diversity to the world,” according to a statement.  DIRs disseminate information about career opportunities not only at their home universities but throughout the region where they are located. 

Founded in 1867, Howard University is a private, research university that is comprised of 14 schools and colleges.