The winning Air Force Institute of Technology team poses with Bureau of Human Resources Deputy Assistant Secretary Teddy Taylor, third from right.

A Department employee charged with developing creative and innovative solutions to management issues at the U.S. Embassy in Abuja and Consulate General in Lagos, Nigeria, would likely have years of knowledge, exceptional skills, advanced training and agency support to call on.

A college student, on the other hand, would have limited skills, training and support to address such issues. That did not stop dozens of undergraduate and graduate students from accepting a challenge to participate in a national case study competition sponsored by the Department.

The Office of Recruitment, Examination and Employment in the Bureau of Human Resources, in a joint venture with EdVenture Partners, designed the case study to increase the visibility of the Department and careers in the Foreign Service.

"These students want the experience and prestige associated with having worked on such a high-profile case study," said Diane Castiglione, director of recruitment. "They want to contribute their thoughts and ideas to the Department and help to make a difference in the world."

Bridgette Braig, a former professor and owner of a consumer research and consulting firm, together with several employees from the Bureau of Administration, designed a realistic scenario that management officers working overseas might encounter.

FOCUS SCHOOLS

The Department then extended invitations to its focus schools, including those with diplomats in residence. Of the 58 invitees, 9 accepted: The Ohio State University, Georgetown University, St. Mary’s University, University of Wisconsin at Madison, Rice University, Emory University, Air Force Institute of Technology, University of Wisconsin at Whitewater and University of California at Berkeley.

In all, 78 students accepted the challenge and spent six months conducting research and interviews and developing a more thorough understanding of, and appreciation for, the Department and its mission.

After receiving background information about the Department and its objectives, each three- to five-person student team addressed a number of analytical questions and situations regarding three specific human resource challenges: (1) attracting qualified mid-level Foreign Service officers and retaining dependable Foreign Service National employees at these posts; (2) implementing programs and policies to improve workplace morale, employee skills and the work environment; and (3) staffing and outsourcing options for efficient use of resources.

"These students bring varied educational and cultural backgrounds and perspectives to the table," said Robyn Hinson-Jones, chief of outreach and coordinator of the Diplomats in Residence program. "They represent a broad cross section of American students, including military, Midwestern public institutions and Ivy League schools. They represent America."

Each team submitted its case study assignment to its professors for grading. In addition, one team per institution submitted a problem solution for entry into the competition. A pool of professors outside of the participating schools reviewed the submissions and selected the top three teams to present their solutions to a Department panel in Washington. These teams represented the Air Force Institute of Technology, The Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

On May 17, the top three teams presented their solutions to the panel of Teddy Taylor, deputy assistant secretary, Bureau of Human Resources; Marianne Myles, director of Recruitment, Examination and Employment, Bureau of Human Resources; Larry Richter, supervisory post management officer, Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs; Fred Cook, senior adviser, Bureau of Administration; Lois Price-Ascroft, principal management officer for West Africa, Bureau of African Affairs; and Ms. Hinson-Jones.

WELL LEARNED

The Air Force Institute of Technology won first place, Ohio State came in second and Wisconsin finished third. The teams were awarded $3,000, $2,000 and $1,000, respectively. They also received an all-expenses-paid trip to Washington to present their cases.

Loren Kuzuhara, a professor in the Department of Management and Human Resources of the University of Wisconsin-Madison's School of Business, said, "The case competition was a fabulous learning experience for my students; I hope that you will sponsor this event in the future."

According to Karin Fonte, account supervisor for EdVenture Partners, "Students bring innovative ideas and perspectives that tell us how they can be reached, how they think and how they perceive the Department of State. We found a management organization with more than 70 chapters, Sigma Iota Epsilon, that showed great interest in participating. This organization could potentially become a great partner for the Department."

Ms. Hinson-Jones said the value of this program and similar peer-to-peer programs is "helping us to build a constituency among college students who will be the leaders of tomorrow."