Baruch College Graduate Student Awarded National Security Education Program David L. Boren Fellowship

Baruch College graduate student, Rita Valkovskaya (’19) has been awarded a National Security Education Program (NSEP) David L. Boren Fellowship. This marks the first time that this international fellowship has been awarded to a student at Baruch College.

Valovskaya, who is working on her Master Degree in International Affairs at the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, will participate in the American Council’s program in Dushanbe, Tajikistan to study Farsi and Tajik.

The Boren Fellowship provides U.S. graduate students the opportunity “to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests, and underrepresented in study abroad.” The fellowship requires award recipients to pursue a career in priority government agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, Department of State, or the Intelligence Community.

Expanding Horizons

Valkovskaya, who holds a Bachelor of Science in Foreign Service from Georgetown University, has always wanted to study abroad.

“While researching scholarships that funded language study and an overseas study abroad experience, I came across the Boren Fellowship,” said Valkovskaya. “I received tips from the Office of National and Prestigious Fellowships Advising in order to make my application more competitive.”

Setting her sights on a career in national security, Valkovskaya is looking forward to studying in Tajikistan.

She added, “I’m excited to gain an understanding of Tajik culture and learn from the country’s foreign policy. With Boren’s service requirement, I know I will attain the skills needed to find employment with the Federal government.”