Ronald K. McMullen, a career U.S. diplomat and professor at the University of Iowa, will present a lecture at Southern Illinois University Carbondale on Tuesday, Sept. 9, that examines the extraordinary challenges facing the United States and growing fissures within the international system.
Hosted by the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, the free, public lecture is at 6 p.m. in Morris Library’s John C. Guyon Auditorium. A reception starts at 5 p.m. in the library. Registration is encouraged but not required.
McMullen will provide insights from his decades of diplomatic service and academic work, discussing global affairs, diplomacy and U.S. foreign policy. He will also reflect on his experiences representing the United States abroad and teaching the next generation of leaders.
An associate professor of practice in political science, McMullen has more than 30 years of experience as a career diplomat, including serving as ambassador to Eritrea from 2007 to 2010. He has also worked on democracy promotion, conflict resolution and international security issues. At the University of Iowa, he teaches courses on diplomacy, U.S. foreign policy and international relations.
“Ambassador McMullen has had a remarkable career, serving in the American Foreign Service for more than three decades,” said John Shaw, institute director. “As an American diplomat, he traveled to 105 countries and interacted with global leaders such as Nelson Mandela. He also has a strong presence in the academic world, having taught at West Point and the University of Texas, and is now teaching at the University of Iowa.”
More information, including a list of the institute’s upcoming events and past speakers and events, is available.
Media availability
Reporters, photographers and news crews are welcome to cover Ronald McMullen’s lecture. To arrange for interviews or more information, contact Will Becque, institute communications and marketing coordinator, at 618-453-4009 or william.becque@siu.edu.
