 Good afternoon, everyone. My name is Nicole Chulick, and I am the Acting Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Global Public Affairs. This virtual conference has been a remarkable experience for the entire Department of State. Over the past two days, you've had discussions with senior officials and subject matter experts from across the department. Under better circumstances, our annual HBCU conference would have been in person here in Washington. But we worked diligently to produce a packed virtual program to bring to your homes and classrooms. We are delighted that representatives from over 100 HBCUs tuned in. Our Bureau reaches thousands of Americans each year through different programs, and the Secretary has committed to recruiting and retaining a foreign affairs workforce that looks like the United States. One that embodies the strength, the energy, and the creativity our incredibly diverse American population brings to our nation. This is why, for 12 years, we have made a point of reaching out directly to the HBCU community. Historically, black colleges and universities have enabled men and women of all ethnic, racial, and economic backgrounds, especially African Americans, to assume leadership and service roles in their communities. HBCUs have produced educators, inventors, engineers, scientists, and, as you've seen, foreign policy leaders. Our nation's first female and African American vice president has set the tone on the global stage, leading our country alongside President Biden. HBCUs have produced some of our country's best and brightest visionaries, and I'm here to affirm the State Department needs more of that greatness. Here's how we'll do it. Our team and GPA wants to connect with you, your professors, and career advisors. Providing us with feedback via our survey will hold us accountable to our outreach strategy. Secondly, my staff is ready to send speakers to your classrooms. Visit the student page on state.gov to request more information on how to bring a State Department official to your campus. Lastly, bridge the gap between your institution and Washington. A great way to do this is by connecting with your diplomat and residence. For every student watching, there is a foreign service officer in your region dedicated to filling that gap with information to prepare you for a career in public service. Over the last two days, you've heard about US foreign policy priorities, received expert career advice from hiring managers and recruiters, and interacted with trailblazers who've climbed the ranks to senior positions. We hope that today's discussion will inspire some of you to consider a career in foreign affairs. As young people and the next generation who will inherit this interdependent world, you have the power to make real change. Thank you again for tuning into our virtual conference, and we'll see you next year.