Over the past weeks UW–Madison has celebrated appointments of alumni into key positions on the national and world stage.
Most recently, Linda Thomas-Greenfield was confirmed as Ambassador to the United Nations—a role in which she will be navigating relationships and challenges critical for the international community.
On Jan. 28, Mark Green, former USAID Administrator Mark Green and Ambassador to Tanzania was named president, director, and CEO of the Wilson Center—the nation’s key non-partisan policy forum for tackling global issues through independent research.
Just one week prior to the announcement of Mark Green’s new appointment, Sam Cornale was announced as the new executive director of the Democratic National Committee.
These appointments recognize the extraordinary accomplishments in the careers of Badgers. However, a common tie these alumni all share beyond their UW–Madison affiliation is continuing engagement with the university as a whole and with the International Division.
Linda Thomas-Greenfield, as you may have read in the profile recently published by the division, continues to interact with UW–Madison through visits to campus to meet with Mandel Washington Fellows, lectures with the African Studies Program, and hosting King-Morgridge Scholars in Washington, D.C.
Mark Green stayed connected to campus, meeting with leaders working on international issues, discussing opportunities for UW–Madison with USAID, and connecting with students while sharing his own career path.
Since 2017, Sam Cornale has served as an instructor each spring for the International Division’s Wisconsin in Washington, D.C., internship program. Through Cornale’s courses, students have been able to gain perspective on issues including presidential campaigns, governance, and political strategy.
In all cases, we are grateful to these alumni and so many others who allow the university to benefit from their success and expertise. These continuing connections are inspirational for students who can begin to see themselves in leadership roles as a result of personal interactions.
Congratulations and thank you to these Badgers! I hope to see them continuing their connections to the university and invite any other alumni to consider how they too could open doors and provide guidance for the next generation of leaders.