Carolina welcomes new diplomat in residence
February 16, 2024UNC Global Affairs

Stephanie Hutchison shares her passion for public service, foreign affairs with UNC students
With more than 17 years in the U.S. Foreign Service, Stephanie Hutchison recently became the diplomat in residence for the mid-Atlantic region. She serves Virginia and North Carolina, and she maintains an office in the FedEx Global Education Center at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her assignment lasts for two years and may be extended to three.
The Office of the Vice Provost for Global Affairs is pleased to welcome Hutchison to Carolina. Diplomats in residence are career foreign service officers posted at universities throughout the U.S. Their primary responsibility is to provide guidance to students, professionals and community members about careers, internships and other opportunities in the U.S. Department of State.
Hutchison has a background in international affairs and economics, including a master’s in law and diplomacy. She transitioned from a career in market research to one of service to her country. Foreign Service Officers are assigned to posts around the world, in a variety of roles, and typically move from one country to another every few years. Her previous posts include Trinidad and Tobago, Morocco, Ghana and Tanzania.
Her sister, Sarah Hutchison, has served as the associate director of UNC’s TransAtlantic master’s program since 2002.
We wanted to learn more about Hutchison, her career and her experience so far at Carolina. You can read her responses — edited for style and brevity — below.
MVH: What has the transition to North Carolina been like for you? And how does this transition compare to others before now?
SH: I’m thrilled to be in North Carolina to recruit top talent for the U.S. Department of State. The transition has been similar to those I’ve experienced going overseas. When you arrive at a new assignment abroad, you are greeted by a social sponsor and an office sponsor who help you settle in, inside and outside the embassy or consulate. My sister, Sarah Hutchison, who has long lived in North Carolina and worked at UNC, and the professional contacts I’ve met at UNC, Duke and NC State have all helped me settle in personally and professionally. I’ve been very warmly welcomed!
MVH: After 17 years, what inspires you to remain in public service?
SH: The human impact and connection. Whether it has been working on refugee issues in Tanzania, meeting with inspiring entrepreneurs in Morocco and Ghana, supporting U.S. companies as they seek new markets, or seeing our exchange programs open up new possibilities for emerging leaders — to cite just a few examples — our work has meaning and impacts lives.
MVH: Why should students consider a career specifically in economic diplomacy?
SH: Admittedly, I’m biased since this is my area, but I think the economic “cone” as we call our various Foreign Service Generalist tracks is the best! The range of issues covered under this umbrella is vast, so there is scope to explore your interests and apply your knowledge on issues such as trade and investment, entrepreneurship, global health, science and technology, digital technology, climate change and, of course, the traditional macroeconomic arena — my favorite. Personal bias aside, all of our cones (economic, political, management, consular and public diplomacy) offer similar opportunities to apply your skillset to issues of critical importance and to be challenged — in a good way — to learn and develop new areas of expertise.
MVH: What adversity have you faced as a diplomat, and how has it made you more resilient?
SH: It is always challenging to move around every two or three years — adapting to a new culture, addressing different policy issues and finding a new community. However, these same challenges are what make the Foreign Service such an amazing career! From one post to the next, you build a community you can visit around the world, you add new skills to your toolkit and apply them in different settings and you become more resilient in the face of change.
MVH: What role does mentorship play in the Foreign Service?
SH: Mentorship plays a big role in the Foreign Service from day one. There is a class mentor for incoming diplomats as they start their training and formal opportunities — whether situational or structured — for mentoring continue all along the way. Informal mentoring is also important. As your career progresses, you have supervisors or ambassadors that will help you navigate your career, offering advice as you take steps towards mid-level and senior roles. I would not be here today if it weren’t for several important informal mentors that shared words of wisdom and encouragement.
MVH: What is a place you have never been to — for work or pleasure — where you would like to serve one day?
SH: Vietnam. The work would be fascinating from several vantage points. And the food! Yes, in addition to work, we get the chance to enjoy the countries in which we serve, whether it is local cuisine, a safari, hikes, sailing adventures and local music or art, for example.
To read more about Hutchison, read her bio here. To learn more about careers with the U.S. Department of State, click here.
For more insights on diplomacy and foreign affairs, check out the OVPGA’s Diplomacy Initiative.