Omar Vazquez 19, of Renton was recently selected to receive a fellowship from the Institute for International Public Policy, a program funded by the U.S. Department of Education and administered by the UNCF Special Programs Corporation.

The program is for minority students interested in pursuing careers in international affairs. Along with the fellowship comes scholarships, programs and services totaling nearly $100,000 over a five-year period.

Vazquez, a junior at Seattle University, is one of only 32 selected for the fellowship. Selected students are from 26 colleges and universities across the country. Selection is based on academic achievement, leadership potential and commitment to a career in global affairs.

Vazquez recently completed the fellowship’s first phase: a seven-week course called the Sophomore Summer Policy Institute (SSPI), in Atlanta, Ga., New York and Washington, D.C.

Other phases include study abroad during the fellows’ junior year, intensive foreign language training and internships and graduate study.

“It’s a long commitment, but it’s really worth it,” Vazquez says of the program.

“It’s a great opportunity for people, especially minorities,” he added.

Vazquez is majoring in international economic development and minoring in finance. Born and raised in Mexico, Vazquez hopes to study abroad in Latin America or Spain. He graduated from Bellevue High School and Bellevue Community College.

His dream job is to work for a United Nations economic development program or maybe for The World Bank.