UT Hosts Future Leaders Topical Seminar for State Department Program Alumni
- Sep 9, 2019
The University of Texas at Austin will host a U.S. Future Leaders Entrepreneurship and Innovation Seminar Sept. 26-27 for approximately 75 alumni of two prestigious U.S. Department of State programs—the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program and the Critical Language Scholarship (CLS) Program. This workshop is part of the State Department’s ongoing effort to partner with academic and industry experts to position Gilman and CLS alumni as future American leaders across public and private sectors in fields of importance to U.S. national security and economic prosperity.
“Global experience is crucial for career preparedness, and as a top-producer of Gilman Scholars and home institution to numerous Critical Language Scholars, we are pleased to play a role in the continuing education of the alumni of these two instrumental programs,” said Dr. Sonia Feigenbaum, senior vice provost and chief international officer. “By hosting this seminar at UT Austin, we are able to showcase our community as a hub of entrepreneurship and innovation through an impactful and rigorous two-day program.”
Seminar attendees will build on their international experiences from a sectoral perspective as they participate in hands-on trainings on entrepreneurship and innovation. They will also expand their professional networks as they engage with U.S. leaders from the public and private sectors. Attendees will leave the seminar with both the cross-cultural skills and industry knowledge they need to launch or further build their careers in entrepreneurship and innovation.
“Gilman Scholars and Critical Language Scholars, whether through an internship or study abroad, gain critical skills to adapt and function in a cross-cultural environment,” said Marie Royce, Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. “We are pleased to support our outstanding alumni through these career-enhancing initiatives.”
The Gilman and CLS Programs are part of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), with funding provided by the U.S. Government. The Gilman program provides over 3,000 scholarships a year to American undergraduate students who might not otherwise study abroad due to financial constraints. The Gilman Program is supported in its implementation by the Institute of International Education. UT has been recognized by the Department of State as a top-producing institution for the Gilman program.
The CLS Program provides fully-funded overseas opportunities for 550 American undergraduate and graduate students to study one of 15 languages that are critical to national security and economic prosperity. The program is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education.
To learn more about ECA’s programs and how its diverse alumni are entering into impactful careers in the government, non-profit, and private sectors, contact eca-press@state.gov and visit www.studyabroad.state.gov.
To learn more about The University of Texas at Austin’s campus internationalization efforts, please contact global@austin.utexas.edu or visit global.utexas.edu.
