Contact: Brittney Dabney, Office of Communications, Public Relations and Marketing
Tuskegee University’s Global Office is hosting a panel discussion, “Shaping the future, Women in International Affairs,” with prominent women political leaders that are changing the game for women in international affairs. The panel discussion will be held virtually, and registration is free and open to the public.
“This event is a part of the 2020 International Education Week held November 16-20, activities celebrated by the U.S. State Department and U.S. academic institutions,” explained Dr. Rhonda Collier, director of the Tuskegee University Global Office. “We have decided to focus on women in international fairs. It is a great honor to have these esteemed professional women participate in our event.”
“Shape the Future: Women in International Affairs” will include community members whose work goes into changing social norms in order to advance equality within their communities. Ambassador Virginia E. Palmer will lead the discussion to encourage women to pursue careers in international affairs. Palmer holds the highest rank in international affairs as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Energy Resources. She was most recently the Deputy Commandant and International Affairs Advisor at the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy. Her other roles included serving as U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Malawi, there she oversaw an annual bilateral assistance budget of more than $500 million and the work of eleven U.S. government agencies.
“Ambassador Palmer is model U.S. diplomat – students will learn a lot from her diverse service to our nation and her work in Malawi and we are excited to have her in Tuskegee virtually,” continued Collier.
Other panelists will include; Dr. Octavia Tripp, international science educator and associate professor at Auburn University; Alexious Butler, career foreign service officer with the United States Agency for International Development; Kenyatta Spiller, U.S. Peace Corps recruiters.
The panel discussion will aim to engage with other women leaders to show the importance of bridging the gap between women in international affairs, especially during the COVID-19 response.
“We have all had to change our delivery of our work and services in response to COVID-19, our panelists will explain how they function in a global pandemic context,” Collier noted. “I expect all audience members, male and female, to walk away with lots of information and lots of inspiration.”
The Tuskegee University Global Office was established to infuse an international dimension throughout Tuskegee University's programs of instruction, research and extension. Learning about the world, especially as it relates to improving our country 's strategic advantage has become an important national security concern. Committed educators have long known that learning about the world and about the interrelationships among national, international and global issues is indispensable to a high-quality education.
This event is co-sponsored by International Education Week, a week that highlights the benefits of international education and exchange worldwide.
To join and register for the event on November 16 at 5:00 p.m. visit https://tuskegee.zoom.us/j/9860516482?pwd=VjI5RUU1czNvZmduaFBDNjRCRFVQdz09. For questions about this event, contact Dr. Rhonda Collier, rcollier@tuskegee.edu.
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