Pardee School Welcomes 2018-19 Dean’s Ambassadors
The Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies at Boston University welcomed a new class of graduate and undergraduate Dean’s Ambassadors at a lunch reception held on February 6, 2018.
Dean’s Ambassadors are outstanding student citizens and leaders from the Pardee School’s graduate and undergraduate academic programs. They are passionate and knowledgeable about the Pardee School and about Boston University.
At the lunch reception, the 19 Dean’s Ambassadors heard from Pardee School academic leaders including Dean Adil Najam, Associate Dean for Academic Affairs William Grimes, Director of Undergraduate Studies and Associate Professor of International Relations Min Ye and Director of Graduate Studies and Professor of the Practice of International Relations Amb. Robert Loftis.
Najam charged the new Dean’s Ambassadors with the mission of representing the ideals and excellence of the Pardee School to both the Boston University community and wider world.
“We want our Dean’s Ambassadors to help represent what the school is, to put forth an image that matches the school’s mission and vision, but also to be the eyes and ears of the Dean and the school,” Najam said. “We want you to help us figure out what the world needs to know about what is happening at the Pardee School — at one level that is within the school, at a very important level it’s the rest of Boston University, and at another level still there is the world outside which includes prospective students and parents.”
Ye said that while expectations will be high as representatives of the values and mission of the Pardee School, Dean’s Ambassadors will also be afforded numerous opportunities for academic and professional development.
“I hope you make some friends, participate in events, and make professional connections,” Ye said. “As much as we are going to ask of you as Dean’s Ambassadors, we want you to profit from this experience as well.”
Loftis discussed his time serving as the United States Ambassador to Lesotho and gave the Dean’s Ambassadors words of advice on their new roles and representatives of the Pardee School to the Boston University community and beyond.
“What an ambassador does is represent his or her country abroad,” Loftis said. “Your job is to explain the intricacies of your own political system and as importantly to explain back home what is happening in your host country and why it is important. You should also be making recommendations and pushing forward policies.”
The role of the Dean’s Ambassador is to represent the Pardee School Dean and the school at special events, with prospective students, alumni, and distinguished guests. They serve as a liaison to the wider Boston University community as well as prospective students and families. Dean’s Ambassadors are outstanding student citizens and leaders from the Pardee School’s graduate and undergraduate academic programs. They are passionate and knowledgeable about the Pardee School and about Boston University. The Pardee School Dean’s Ambassadors are chosen in a rigorous process from the school’s graduate and undergraduate programs.