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On February 2, Kent State students in the College of Arts and Sciences Learning Community were given a unique opportunity to hear a former United States Ambassador speak on foreign policy issues and U.S.-Russian relations. Steven Pifer, who formerly served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Ukraine and is currently the Director of the Arms Control and Non-Proliferation Initiative at the Brookings Institute, was a featured speaker at the Cleveland Council on World Affairs hosted by the Union Club in Cleveland. His presentation, titled “Dealing with Putin’s Russia” examined a wide range of issues, including the implications of Russian influence in United States foreign policy, as well as the domestic conditions of Russia under the President Vladimir Putin.

These students also had the privilege of meeting with the Cleveland Council on World Affairs acting Director, Heather Hodges. Hodges is also a former Foreign Service Officer and served as the U.S. Ambassador to Moldova from 2003 to 2006. Hodges offered her experiences of working in the Foreign Service to our students and gave some tips and strategies about the process of entering a career in public service.

Karen Clement, the Academic Program Director of the CAS Learning Communities, accompanied the nine political science and international affairs students from Kent State to the event. All of the students in the audience from KSU were also able to participate in meet and greet with Ambassadors Pifer and Hodges during which they could ask questions about the experience of working in Foreign Service.