2024 USAID Payne Fellow, Saran Camara.
@MANHATTANEDU INSTAGRAM/COURTESY
By Jocelyn Visnov, Senior Writer
Manhattan College alumna Saran Camara ‘21 was recently named a 2024 Payne Fellow at The United States Agency For International Development (USAID), making her the first Jasper in the college’s history to receive this prestigious award.
The competitive fellowship program awards selected participants for their dedication to international development and foreign service.
The Payne Fellowship provides participants with mentors, summer work placements located in Washington D.C. and scholarship tuition assistance towards a graduate degree in international affairs or related fields relevant to USAID.
According to usaid.gov, the fellowship is managed under Howard University with 80% of all Payne fellows identifying as being minorities or members of underrepresented groups.
“The Payne Fellowship Program, named after the late Representative Donald M. Payne Senior (D-NJ), was established in 2012 and is now celebrating its 10th anniversary,” the press release read. “Since the beginning of the program, 89 Payne Fellows have become USAID Foreign Service Officers.”
Participants of the Payne Fellowship are enrolled in approved graduate degree programs while also participating in the fellowship.
While the program is managed by Howard University, fellows may apply and attend graduate programs at other universities. Payne fellows who successfully complete the program and exceed specific entry requirements are eligible for five years of service as Foreign Service Officers.
During her time as an undergraduate student at MC, Camara was academically involved in the campus community.
As an economics and finance major in the O’Malley School of Business, a member of the Epsilon Sigma Pi honor society, a peer tutor at the Center for Academic Success and a developmental economics research fellow, Camara was constantly striving for new opportunities.
She also worked as a Women Inspiring Successful Enterprise (W.I.S.E) fellow, where she interned with the Fordham Bedford Housing Corporation as an accounting assistant, helping low-income tenants apply for rental assistance programs.
Camara received her bachelor’s of science degree from the O’Malley School of Business in 2021. According to her LinkedIn profile, she has since worked as a financial analyst for Syneos Health.
Applicants for the USAID Payne fellowship go through a competitive selection process.
According to paynefellows.org, “The selection panel will consider candidates’ academic work, statements of interest, letters of recommendation, and honors and awards, as well as their community, extracurricular, and leadership activities,” the website read. “Consideration will be given to qualified applicants who, in addition to outstanding leadership skills and academic achievement, demonstrate financial need.”
According to a press release, the USAID has expanded their acceptance to their flagship Payne Fellowship program, going from 15 to 30 accepted fellows in 2022. Camara is one of just 30 fellows selected to participate in 2024.
Camara’s recent success was shared across the college’s social media accounts, @manhattanedu.
“The Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship program recognizes exceptional individuals committed to international service, and Saran is truly a standout,” the caption read. “This accomplishment not only highlights Saran’s dedication and passion for international development but also showcases the excellence and potential within the Manhattan College community. We are incredibly proud to have a pioneer like Saran paving the way for future generations of Jaspers!”