Diplomat in Residence
Diplomats in Residence (DIRs) are career Foreign Service Officers and Specialists located throughout the U.S. who provide guidance and advice on careers, internships and fellowships to students and professionals in the communities they serve. DIRs are available to answer questions and share insight with those interested in Foreign and Civil Service careers, internships and fellowships.
The DIR program is central to the effort to recruit for the Foreign Service, Civil Service and Student Programs the best and brightest to represent America’s rich diversity to the world. DIRs disseminate information about career opportunities not only at their home universities but throughout the region where they are located.
BIO:
Darion Akins
Region: DC Metro
DE, W. VA, and MD
Location: Howard University
Contact: DIRDCMetro@state.gov
Click here for walk-in and call-in appointments: fb.com/book/dirdcmetro
Darion K. Akins is a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, who is currently serving as the Diplomat-in-Residence (DIR) for the District of Columbia (DC) Metro area and hosted by the Ralph J. Bunche International Affairs Center at Howard University. Prior to this assignment, he served as the Consul General for Northern Germany at U.S. Consulate General Hamburg. He also previously served in Malaysia, India, Afghanistan, Australia, and Indonesia. After earning a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy at the National War College in Washington, D.C., he served as the Human Resources Division Chief in the Executive Office for European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR) and International Organizations (IO). Prior to joining the Foreign Service, he was an educator and a Peace Corps Volunteer. Although born in the Great State of Oklahoma, he calls Texas home. He solidified his Lone Star State status after graduating Texas A&M University in College Station with a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science and Management. His languages are German, Japanese, and ChiNyanja