What fills the day of a Consul General at a U.S. Embassy overseas? Hear first-hand the heroic ways consular officers protect U.S. citizens abroad. Learn about the factory-like precision driving large visa sections. Explore the leadership challenges of working in an environment where routine services are regularly interrupted by earthquakes, floods, airplane crashes, political incarcerations, medical evacuations, coups, parental child abductions, and assaults involving Americans. Find out how international cooperation flourishes despite cultural and political differences.

Hosts: 

Linda Daetwyler is a retired U.S. diplomat. She served as Consul General in Korea and Australia, as well as managed American Citizen Services, Visa, Passport and Adoption Sections in China, Germany, Austria, Jamaica, and the Philippines. Prior to joining the U.S. Department of State, Linda worked as a Foreign Student Advisor at International House, U.C. Berkeley, organizing cross-cultural events and providing general counseling to foreign students.

Jennifer Murray (she/her) is the Dean of International Studies and Director of the Institute for International Liberal Education at Bard College. In addition to overseeing international programs, Jennifer heads the Welcome Corps on Campus and related student-refugee programming. She is a Forum on Education Abroad  certified professional and recipient of a Fulbright International Education Administrator’s award to Korea. Jennifer earned her BA in English at Rutgers University and MS Ed in Higher Education Administration at Baruch College, CUNY. Jennifer began her career in international education as an English teacher at the University of Pecs, Hungary. Since that time she has worked with adult and military veteran students at SUNY Ulster, international student advising at the School of Visual Arts, and with student disability services at Hunter College.