October First Monday Forum: Unprecedented Challenges — The Future of the State Department and Public Diplomacy

PDCA’s October 6 program featured Michele Sumilas, who serves as the National Engagement Director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC). Sumilas described how the USGLC is defining the challenges and how the Coalition is working to ensure, in Secretary Rubio’s words, America is safer, stronger, and more prosperous.

Michele Sumilas is the National Engagement Director at the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition.  From 2025-2021, she served as the Acting Deputy Administrator for Management and Resources and the Assistant to the Administrator for the Bureau for Planning, Learning and Management at the U.S. Agency for International Development. Previously, she served as Executive Director of Bread for the World, an anti-hunger Christian advocacy organization. Her prior government experience includes serving as USAID Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff during the Obama administration, and on the House Subcommittee on State and Foreign Operations. Prior to serving in government, she worked at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Global Health Council.  She attended Mount Holyoke College and received her Master’s in Public Health from Johns Hopkins University’s Bloomberg School of Public Health.

The USGLC works to strengthen America’s civilian-led tools — development and diplomacy — alongside defense. It advocates for a strong International Affairs Budget and is working to make America’s international affairs programs a keystone of U.S. foreign policy. It brings together more than 500 businesses and non-profits from across the country. As the premier advocacy organization for America’s Engagement in the World and International Assistance (the 150 account), USGLC has a unique perspective and capacity to impact U.S. diplomacy in the years ahead.

Global Communication MA’s Alumni Event

Friday October 3, 2025

This was the Global Communications MA’s first-ever event, bringing together alumni and current students. It was a great opportunity to make connections, develop mentoring relationships, and learn about different career paths for current students. 

Global Communications Welcome Dinner

The M.A Global Communication program gathered for a dinner to start off the Fall 2025 semester. We welcomed new students, current students, faculty and staff members. It was an evening filled with engaging conversations, shared stories, and a strong sense of camaraderie. This gathering not only highlighted the diverse backgrounds and global perspectives that define our program, but also fostered meaningful connections that will support collaboration and growth throughout the semester ahead.


Engaging America: Ambassadorial Perspectives on Public Diplomacy Series

Tuesday, April 22, 2025

5pm to 6pm

The final of IPDGC’s monthly series hosting international ambassadors to learn about their country’s approach to public diplomacy, featuring Shaikh Abdulla bin Rashid bin Abdulla AlKhalifa, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States of America. 

Public Diplomacy and Strategic Narratives: How Countries Tell Their Stories in the 21st Century

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To commemorate the publication of the new “Handbook on Public Diplomacy,” the Institute for Public Diplomacy and Global Communication is hosting a series of webinars featuring some of the authors who contributed to the volume.

In this episode, Drs. Alister Miskimmon and Ben O’Loughlin will discuss their chapter about the role of strategic narratives in the practice of public diplomacy, as well as the challenges countries face today in telling their stories effectively.

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