Graduate Student Spotlight: Caleb Mimms
Donaghey Scholar Caleb Mimms will graduate on May 11 with a B.A. in political science and international studies with a minor in economics.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I was raised in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and graduated from Cabot High School. During high school, I enjoyed keeping up with politics. My goal is to become a foreign service officer.
Why did you choose UA Little Rock?
I chose UA Little Rock because it is a large enough school, but small enough where you are not just a number. For instance, my friends and I often hang out at Starbucks and the library.
Why did you choose to major in Political Science?
Initially, I was going to major in theatre, but I took an AP government class in high school that ignited my interest in politics. A year earlier, we traveled to Italy and Greece where I fell in love with traveling. Political science has combined my passions for government, politics, and hopefully travel!
You interned at the Iraqi embassy and helped prep diplomats. Tell us about that experience.
During Summer 2022, I worked with Iraqi diplomats on congressional affairs in the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. Members of this committee include Senators Robert Menendez, Mitt Romney, Tim Kaine, and Ted Cruz. This experience gives me hope because policymakers work better together behind the scenes than how they are portrayed in the media. I also got to learn about policy from an Iraqi perspective.
Your goal is to become a foreign service officer. What does a foreign service officer do?
Foreign service officers serve the diplomatic needs of the United States in embassies worldwide. There are five career tracks: Consular, Economics, Management, Political, and Public Diplomacy. I would love to be stationed in Scandinavia or Brussels, Belgium, since it is the headquarters for the European Union.
Who were some of your mentors?
Dr. Rebecca Glazier encouraged me to join the Model Arab League, which gives students insight into the Middle East and Arab world. Drs. Jessica Scott and Simon Hawkins helped me with life planning. Dr. Stephanie Davis helped me with graduate school applications.
What are your favorite memories?
The pancake breakfast was great because we played games at the table while we ate. We had a lot of fun and laughs.
One of my favorite experiences was participating in the study abroad program in Prague, Czechoslovakia. I interned at a non-profit organization called Act for Others. This organization promotes charitable activities that enable the disabled to integrate into society. Part of this internship included helping plan a small Christmas market with local vendors and entertainment.
Where are you going to graduate school?
I am entering the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University in New York. The Maxwell School is one of the nation’s top-ranked schools for public affairs. A former Donaghey Scholar and current foreign service officer helped me research graduate schools.
What advice would you give incoming students?
Do your work and attend class. Do something out of your comfort zone and make connections. Because of my connections, I participated in the Model Arab League and interned at the Iraqi embassy!
This profile was compiled by Toni Boyer.
