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Harnessing the power of faculty and student collaboration, FSCJ is proud to be the first open-access college to partner with the Department of State’s Diplomacy Lab. Launched by the Department of State in 2013, Diplomacy Lab is a public-private partnership that enables the State Department to “course-source” research related to foreign policy challenges through the minds of students and faculty experts at colleges and universities across the United States.

Students, under the supervision and guidance of their professors, explore real-world challenges such as climate change, democracy and human rights, global health, energy security, gender equality, economic policy, trafficking in persons, food security, and conflict and stabilization. The unique partnership allows students and faculty the opportunity to contribute directly to the policymaking process while helping the State Department tap into an underutilized reservoir of intellectual capital.

How FSCJ’s Diplomacy Lab Works 

  • A list of proposed projects from the Department of State is sent to partnering schools in the fall and spring semesters.
  • FSCJ’s Diplomacy Lab liaison solicits interest from faculty members to lead projects within FSCJ courses.
  • Faculty “bid” on the projects they’d like to lead in the subsequent semester.
  • During the implementation semester, professors guide students in developing a final product that supports the Department of State’s outlined goals.
  • Colleagues and officials will provide feedback on the students’ work and they can advance ideas and outcomes to broader audiences from there.

Student Opportunity

FSCJ students participating in the Diplomacy Lab will have the opportunity to:

  • Engage directly with Department of State officials throughout the semester via online conferences
  • Work alongside students and faculty experts on high-level projects
  • Present their results to State Department colleagues and other relevant officials during the final conference
  • Build their network and resume while advancing presentation, critical thinking and teamwork skills within a global platform that can enact worldwide change

Faculty Resources

FSCJ Diplomacy Lab Contact
Dr. Lourdes P. Norman-McKay
L.norman@fscj.edu
(904) 997-2598

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