JAMES MADISON ALUMNA JOINS INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Jolisa Brooks was awarded a 2016 Donald M. Payne International Development Fellowship on March 18, 2016 following a highly competitive nationwide contest. A graduate of the James Madison College at MSU, Brooks was the first Michigan resident to win this prestigious award.

Her love for humanity and pride in her hometown of Detroit ignited a passion for development and advocacy of environmental justice. She received her Bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University, where she studied Political Theory and Science, Technology, Environment & Public Policy. During her undergraduate career she conducted geological research in Antarctica and Argentina where she analyzed sustainable industrial fishing policies to protect keystone species.

Brooks also travelled to Madagascar in 2012 to advocate for these issues abroad. The Payne Fellowship is funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development and supports extraordinary individuals who want to pursue a career as a Foreign Service Officer in the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Payne Fellowship will provide Jolisa with approximately $93,000 in benefits over a two year period and give her the opportunity to represent her country overseas.  She was one of only seven fellows selected nationwide.

Jolisa will begin graduate school at the Yale School of Forestry & Environmental Studies to pursue her Masters of Environmental Science in Fall 2016. As part of the Payne Program, Jolisa will work for Member of Congress on international issues.

In Summer 2017, the U.S. Agency for International Development will send her overseas to work in a USAID Mission to get hands-on experience with U.S. foreign development work and the work of the Foreign Service. Upon graduation, Jolisa will become a U.S. Foreign Service Officer for USAID, embarking on one of the most challenging and rewarding careers of service to her country.