THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | MAY-JUNE 2026 17 and other personnel matters. Engagement on these issues changed policies like assignment restrictions, improved the overall operating environment, expanded opportunities for professional growth for all employees, and nurtured future employees through stipends for interns and book scholarships. TLG’s greatest success is the community it has fostered for more than 50 years, and the executive board is committed to working in partnership with other employee organizations, to supporting members through in-person and virtual activities, and to encouraging and counseling the next generation of diplomats. As always, TLG membership remains open to all, and additional information can be found at https://thursdayluncheon group.org. —TLG Executive Board FirstGens@State Advancing Opportunity, Talent, and the American Workforce FirstGens@State supports Foreign Service and Civil Service professionals who were the first in their families to obtain a college degree. The network includes more than 700 members across the State Department and interagency and works to strengthen recruitment, mentorship, retention, and professional development for first-generation college graduates and professionals. While the organization does not have 501(c)(3) status, it has partnered with several external organizations. Members come from every corner of the country—rural and urban communities alike—and employee organizations like FirstGens@State help ensure the diplomatic service reflects the full breadth of American experience. In short, they represent every hill, holler, and street in the United States. The concept of a first-generation college student—commonly referred to as a FirstGen—is rooted in the Higher Education Act of 1965, which defines the term as “an individual whose parent or parents did not complete a baccalaureate degree.” This law predates the establishment of the U.S. Department of Education and reflects long-standing egalitarian principles of equal opportunity. These principles are complementary to meritocracy: They ensure that advancement is determined by talent, effort, and achievement rather than by immutable characteristics or economic circumstances at birth. This emphasis on merit and equal opportunity is consistent with enduring American values and with President Trump’s executive actions that have reaffirmed merit-based advancement and equal access to opportunity across federal institutions. Many first-generation college students come from working-class households, often facing financial barriers and limited professional networks on their path to higher education. Financial insecurity, limited familiarity with higher-education systems, and fewer professional networks create obstacles that persist long after graduation. Yet they frequently demonstrate resilience and a commitment to service— about 21 percent work in government and roughly 62 percent are veterans. Ensuring these Americans are represented in the national security workforce strengthens both the legitimacy and effectiveness of U.S. diplomacy. Professionals who grew up in rural towns and working-class households bring firsthand understanding of the economic anxieties, labor concerns, and community priorities that shape U.S. domestic policy. Their perspectives help ensure that diplomacy, economic statecraft, and international engagement remain connected to the interests of U.S. workers and industries at home. FirstGen professionals bring grit, patriotism, and practical problem-solving skills shaped by real-world experience, enriching policy discussions and helping address institutional blind spots. Their life experiences often mirror those of the “global majority,” enabling them to communicate more effectively with foreign audiences and better understand the social and economic realities that influence international partners. My experience guiding FirstGens@ State demonstrates the tangible value of such networks. Through mentorship programs, recruitment, and engagement with department leadership, the organization has helped create pathways for talented Americans who might otherwise view diplomacy and national security careers as inaccessible. Because members come from a wide range of backgrounds, the network emphasizes shared American experiences—perseverance, equal opportunity, and service—rather than identity-based categories. Through targeted recruitment and by redefining existing fellowships, the State Department can identify and retain untapped talent from workingclass American families often overlooked in the national security workforce. FirstGens embody American ideals of hard work; love of country, community, and family; perseverance; and upward mobility. Drawing on this talent strengthens the department’s connection to the American people while advancing policies that support U.S. workers, rebuild industrial capacity, and project the values of merit, opportunity, and resilience that underpin U.S. leadership. —Ambassador (ret.) Joey R. Hood, first senior leadership liaison for FirstGens@State
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