Bridgette Lang: Excelling in Global Citizenship
Bridgette Lang (BA IR '23) has been selected as Rangel Fellow. The Rangel Program is a U.S. State Department program that seeks to attract and prepare outstanding young people for careers as diplomats in the Foreign Service of the U.S. Department of State.
Bridgette graduated Summa Cum Laude. Beyond her academic success, Bridgette was also the recipient of the Chandler Citizenship Award, the School's highest student honor. This prestigious accolade recognizes her unwavering commitment to the values and mission of the Pardee School. Bridgette was also awarded a Fulbright to teach English in Lithuania, showcasing her dedication to international collaboration and cultural exchange.
Described as "one of our most enthusiastic ambassadors," Bridgette was a key figure in fostering community spirit at Pardee. Serving as a Dean’s Ambassador for two academic years, she inspired incoming cohorts of Dean’s Ambassadors through her active involvement and dedication to building a vibrant Pardee community.
Bridgette's leadership extended to academic pursuits as the Editor-in-Chief of the International Relations Review and the Director-General of BarMUN XV. Her engagement in the Pardee Honors Program showcased her intellectual prowess, culminating in a thesis on public messaging and the reception of Ukrainian and Syrian refugees in Europe.
Amb. Mark Storella, who served as Bridgette's advisor and witnessed her exceptional initiative in research, shared his enthusiasm for her accomplishments.
"I am delighted for Bridgette and for the State Department! Bridgette was my student and also my advisee for her senior thesis. She demonstrated exceptional initiative in her research focused on public diplomacy, including through interviews conducted in Germany under a Kilichand honors travel grant. She is bright, positive, hardworking, and a genuinely decent person. She was a strong contributor to life at Pardee (MUN, IRR). She will be a terrific Foreign Service Officer (FSO)."
Bridgette's commitment to global understanding is further evident in her internships with esteemed institutions such as the US House of Representatives, the Department of State, the Global Development Policy Center, the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, and the US Agency for International Development.
As she embarks on her journey as a State Department Rangel Fellow, Bridgette Lang exemplifies the values of a true global citizen, leaving an enduring impact on the Pardee community and beyond.