About
Cierra Powell, a 2018 graduate of Carroll College, earned a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Spanish, with a minor in Latin American Studies. A native of Miles City, Montana, Powell began her academic journey at Carroll driven by a strong curiosity about cultural exchange and a commitment to expanding her global perspective.
Her undergraduate experience proved transformative, shaped in large part by study abroad in Spain and an internship in Ecuador as a Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholar. With the mentorship and support of her professors—particularly Dr. Hallows and Dr. Street—Powell achieved a historic milestone by becoming Carroll College’s first recipient of a Fulbright U.S. Student Program Award. In 2019, she served as an English Teaching Assistant in the Canary Islands, Spain, working with early childhood and elementary students while representing the United States as a cultural ambassador.
Powell continued to distinguish herself academically and professionally in 2021 when she was named a Charles B. Rangel International Affairs Fellow, a highly competitive award supporting future leaders in the U.S. Foreign Service. Selected as one of just 45 fellows from more than 1,000 applicants, the fellowship marked a significant step toward her career with the U.S. Department of State. In 2022, she was also awarded the David L. Boren Fellowship, which supported a semester of graduate study abroad in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
After earning a Master of International Affairs from the Pennsylvania State University School of International Affairs, Powell joined the U.S. Department of State as a Foreign Service Officer. She currently serves as Vice Consul in Hanoi, Vietnam, and looks ahead to her upcoming assignment in Pakistan.
Reflecting on her time at Carroll, Powell credits education and curiosity as central to her success. “The most important thing I learned at Carroll is that education expands opportunities, plain and simple,” she says. “I would encourage other students to be willing to learn, stay curious, and remain open to expanding their horizons—they’ll be amazed at what they can gain and accomplish.” These lessons continue to guide her as she advances in her diplomatic career.
Fun Fact: Powell’s first job was beekeeping for her family. She continues this passion today by connecting with local honey farmers wherever her work takes her.