HWS News
3 October 2024 • Alums Smith-Padmore '24 Completes Consulate Internship By Colin Spencer '19
Experience in policy writing and public diplomacy at the United Nations inspires postgraduate study.
Jada Smith-Padmore’s ’24 internship this summer at the Barbados Consulate General in New York has furthered her interest in post-graduate study of policy writing and global communications and created a new passion for a career in public diplomacy.
As a Consulate Intern, Smith-Padmore shadowed the Consul General and Permanent Ambassador of her home country of Barbados at the United Nations. In the position, she developed the first draft of the Disaster Response Framework to guide Barbados Consulates across the Western Hemisphere on the policies and procedures to respond to natural disasters in Barbados. She also initiated a young professional database, collecting information from Barbadian citizens and persons of the diaspora who are currently in college or recently graduated in the U.S. In addition, she attended the United Nations general assembly and gained insight into the work of a diplomat at the New York headquarters.
“From a young age, I wanted to do something that involved the community and helping people,” says Smith-Padmore, who majored in writing and rhetoric.
After attending the Model African Union while at HWS, Smith-Padmore realized “that I can work for a governmental agency to not only advocate for my community but do something sustainable.”
At HWS, Smith-Padmore completed an independent study on policy writing with Professor of Writing and Rhetoric Cheryl Forbes. She served as President of the Caribbean Student Association and Community Outreach Officer for the UNICEF Club. As a member of the William Smith squash team, she helped the Herons capture back-to-back Liberty League Women's Squash Championships during her three seasons on the court and compiled a 34-19 career record, playing in the middle of the ladder for the Herons. Smith-Padmore capped her career by earning a spot on the 2023-24 All-Liberty League second team.
Top: Jada Smith-Padmore '24, second from left, poses with Barbados Consul General Lorenzo Harewood, Barbados Tourism and Marketing Inc. Intern Emily Downing and Barbados Tourism and Marketing Inc. U.S.A. Director Peter Mayers at the United Nations headquarters in New York City.
