About Natalie Spencer

As a student, Natalie’s experiences studying abroad in France ignited an interest in making a career out of her international experience. Since her graduation, Natalie has been able to use her degree to advance intercultural engagement through her dedication to promoting language and cultural learning, as well as diversity, equity, and inclusion in international education. In her current position as a program officer for the Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders at the U.S. Department of State, she manages the engagement of 49 embassies across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through recruitment, selection, communication with the embassies, and budget administration, she is supporting the professional development of approximately 700 fellows each year.

In her previous position managing outreach and selection for the Department of State’s Critical Language Scholarship Program, Natalie presented at multiple conferences, including NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the National Association of Fellowship Advisors (NAFA), Diversity Abroad, and the Forum on Education Abroad, among many others. Through this experience, she developed and led workshops for the Department of State’s USA Study Abroad Branch at campuses across the U.S. to share best practices in international education and promote the value of foreign language study.