Allegheny College Graduate Studies At Columbia University To Better Human Rights
Kelechi Dimgba ’23 has dedicated her career to forming policies that promote gender equity and protect global human rights. Currently, Dimgba is pursuing a Master’s of International Affairs with a concentration in urban social policy and a specialization in international organizations and United Nations studies at Columbia University.
While studying as a global health major and biology minor at Allegheny College, Dimgba says her professors’ dedication to teaching and mentorship shaped her as an individual. She also credits her major of choice at Allegheny College for preparing for her graduate studies.
“I focused on analyzing how individuals respond to, experience, and understand Black women’s maternal mortality rates through the lens of Serena William’s story for my Senior Comp,” says Dimgba. “I want to further study interdisciplinary strategies that can eliminate health disparities for underrepresented people. My goal is to continue to develop solutions and policies to advocate for underserved populations and to motivate health organizations to change the way they serve communities.”
Additionally, she notes her opportunity to study away at Lancaster University in the United Kingdom while at Allegheny College gave her a wider perspective.
“Studying abroad was a unique opportunity where I lived in another culture, not simply a tourist or observer. Being a student in another country allowed me an opportunity to experience the traditions, culture, and society from the inside,” reflects Dimgba.
While studying at Columbia University, Dimgba was appointed as a congressional fellow in the Office of U.S. Representative Bonnie Watson Coleman, where she developed policy around women of color in healthcare and the benefits of a doula.
She also interned for the Savoy Foundation as a representative in the medical, poverty, and education areas of the United Nations. The opportunity allowed Dimgba to learn about multiple cultures and collaborate on solutions to global challenges.
After graduation from Columbia University, Dimgba looks forward to a career in public service as a foreign service officer with the United States Agency for International Development.
“A career in public service is a career that matters. I desire a career in international public service because I am interested in making a difference in the world by preventing and responding to gender-based violence, promoting women’s economic empowerment and to promote gender equity,” says Dimgba. “When you have the opportunity to be surrounded by well-rounded exceptional individuals to collaborate with and learn from, it gives me room to have hope that although the world has many issues there are solutions to exacerbate change.”