Diplomat In Residence
"Ambassador to serve as Diplomat in Residence at UCF"
University of Central Florida
ORLANDO, March 5, 2003 - The U.S. Department of State has selected the University of Central Florida as one of 16 universities in the country to host a Diplomat in Residence for the 2003-04 academic year.
Ambassador Harriet L. Elam-Thomas will join UCF for a year beginning in August, serving as a resource on foreign affairs for the university and the Central Florida community. Ambassador to Senegal and chief of mission to Guinea-Bissau since 1999, Elam-Thomas has worked assignments at the White House and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations in New York. She also has served tours in Greece, Turkey, France, Belgium, Mali and the Ivory Coast. She speaks Turkish, Greek and French.
The University of Central Florida is among a handful of universities in the country to be selected by the State Department to host a Diplomat in Residence, President John Hitt said. That speaks to the quality of our international programs, and, more importantly, offers a unique opportunity for the university to benefit from the wisdom and expertise of a seasoned diplomat.
The Diplomats in Residence share their expertise through guest lectures and foreign policy seminars and often teach classes. The diplomats also represent the State Department and the Foreign Service at university conferences and career fairs and counsel candidates for the Foreign Service.
She brings with her a wealth of experience and will be a valuable resource for the students, staff and faculty, James Callahan, coordinator of the Diplomat in Residence program, said in a letter announcing UCF's selection.
In choosing host sites, the State Department considers a series of factors, including regional diversity, academic curriculum, size and composition of student population, and the level of institutional commitment to preparation of students for careers in international relations and public service.
UCF joins two other Florida universities in hosting a Diplomat in Residence: Florida International University in Miami and Florida AM University in Tallahassee.
The State Department pays the salaries and benefits for the diplomats. The universities grant the officers privileges accorded a visiting scholar and provide office space and staff support. UCF also plans to assign two interns each semester to work with Elam-Thomas.
The Diplomat in Residence program will support the university's goals of providing greater international focus in its curricula and research programs and developing international resources, capabilities and connections, said John C. Bersia, Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives.
This represents a big step toward the continued internationalization of UCF, Bersia said. It's a great opportunity for UCF students, faculty and staff - and for the broader Central Florida community. Ambassador Elam-Thomas is someone who can bring the world to Central Florida.
Contacts
John C. Bersia (407-823-0688)
Special Assistant to the President for Global Perspectives
Tom Evelyn (407-823-5988)
Assistant Director of News Information
