Fayetteville State pilot program will position students for federal workforce

Staff report
·2 min read

Fayetteville State University and the U.S. Agency for International Development signed an agreement this week to develop a pilot program that will give opportunities for internships, professional development and certification to position FSU students for the federal workforce.

On Tuesday, USAID Deputy Administrator Paloma Adams-Allen and her delegation visited FSU and signed the historic memorandum of understanding for the Acquisition Career Workforce Professional Program during a ceremony at the Rudolph Jones Student Center on the Fayetteville campus, according to a news release.

The agency has made a commitment to invest $1 million over two years to develop the program, the release said.

The agreement marks the agency’s sixth under its Minority Serving Institutions Partnership Initiative, the release said. The initiative was launched in October 2020 to broaden awareness and access to USAID programs and initiatives and identify opportunities for students and faculty to engage in U.S. foreign assistance and USAID’s work.

Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darryl Allison looks on Tuesday, April 19, 2023, as Paloma Adams-Allen, deputy administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, signs an agreement with the school to develop a pilot program that will give students the skills needed to work in the federal workforce.
Fayetteville State University Chancellor Darryl Allison looks on Tuesday, April 19, 2023, as Paloma Adams-Allen, deputy administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development, signs an agreement with the school to develop a pilot program that will give students the skills needed to work in the federal workforce.

The event Tuesday was attended by FSU Chancellor Darrell T. Allison and other university leaders as well as city, county and state representatives, faculty, staff, students and members of the community.

The program provides FSU students with opportunities for internships, professional development, and certification to position students for careers with USAID and the federal workforce.

According to the release, Fayetteville State University was selected because of its Broadwell College of Business and Economics with its online MBA program ranked first among the nation’s HBCUs by U.S. News and World Report.

FSU’s diverse student population and varied program offerings were also significant in its selection, the release said.

“I am so excited about (Tuesday’s) announcement because it emphasizes keys to success for any organization — building, developing and tapping into its strong talent pool — a talent pool of leaders,” Allison said in the release.

According to the release, the agreement between FSU and USAID is with the Bureau for Management, which coordinates international economic development among key developing countries and responds to urgent global humanitarian needs.

The agreement "initiates a broad set of activities to improve student preparation for working at USAID," including:

  • Acquisition Workforce Development Program through which FSU students will be prepared to enter federal careers in contracts and purchasing.

  • Faculty support for potential curriculum enhancements.

  • Potential faculty engagement in research and consulting projects to help improve USAID operations.

  • Student information sessions and webinars are available to students from all majors.

  • Webinar events for USAID staff to interact directly with FSU students and staff to discuss global career opportunities.

  • Potential internships for students interested in management and operations at USAID beginning in fall 2023.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Fayetteville State signs agreement with USAID to develop pilot program