On September 19, the esteemed United States Ambassador (retired) Geeta Pasi, holding the prestigious title of the inaugural Donald F. McHenry Visiting Professor in Diplomacy and International Affairs at Illinois State University, graced an attentive audience of graduate and undergraduate students at a “Chat with an Ambassador” event sponsored by the Department of Politics and Government.
Ambassador Pasi shared compelling personal anecdotes from her extensive tenure as a U.S. diplomat, imparting profound insights into diplomacy. Additionally, she illustrated the far-reaching impact of international relations by presenting real-world scenarios, emphasizing how a single event can set off a chain reaction with global consequences. With a rich diplomatic career, Pasi brought forth her experience. Her diplomatic contributions span various critical roles, including ambassadorial posts in Chad, Djibouti, and Ethiopia, and principal deputy assistant secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs. Noted for her dedicated efforts, she championed U.S. policy advancement in Africa.
Her influence extended across multiple nations, including Cameroon, Romania, Germany, Bangladesh, Ghana, and India, where she focused on crucial issues such as human rights, democracy, humanitarian assistance, and promoting U.S. business interests. Many international students in the room are from the countries where she served, so Ambassador Pasi made direct and relevant connections with these students based on her service.
