A warm welcome to Shannon Farrell, who will serve as the new Diplomat in Residence (DIR) for the North Central region. She will sit at the Gerald R. Ford School of Public Policy at the University of Michigan and will offer advice and guidance to students interested in exploring careers, internships, or fellowships with the U.S. Foreign and Civil Services.
Farrell joined the Foreign Service in 2003 after working as a corporate attorney for eight years. She spent time in Afghanistan, Argentina, Ethiopia, Germany, Ireland, and Turkey. For the last four years, Farrell has resided in the United States, serving as an inspector and human resources officer. In her role as DIR, Farrell will provide information on recruiting activities within the State Department to students and professionals throughout the North Central DIR region, which consists of Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Michigan. The Ford School serves as one of 16 DIR academic host institutions in the United States.
“We’re very fortunate to have Shannon Farrell right here in Weill Hall,” says John Ciorciari, director of the Weiser Diplomacy Center and International Policy Center. “Students will benefit tremendously from her knowledge of the State Department and her wealth of diplomatic experience in diverse world regions.”
Farrell will attend career fairs for students, alumni, and professionals, host career information sessions, and interact with organizations and groups throughout the North Central DIR region. Through these opportunities, she will provide information about Department of State Foreign and Civil Service careers, internships, and fellowships.
Farrell will be taking over for Lou Fintor, who has served as the DIR since 2019. The Ford School’s Weiser Diplomacy Center worked closely with Fintor, who regularly informed students about State Department opportunities. He hosted a number of diplomacy simulations and during the pandemic, promoted virtual foreign affairs events and seminars opportunities.
“We appreciate that Lou Fintor, a proud U-M grad, was always eager to engage with and advise our students on careers in foreign affairs,” Ciorciari says. “He embodied the benefits of the DIR program to our community.”
Learn more about the Diplomat in Residence Program and career opportunities at the Department of State.
