PSIA Guest Lecture: The U.S. Foreign Service: Recruiting and Training the Diplomats that Shape and Advance U.S. Foreign Policy

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YEREVAN, Armenia- On February 28, the Political Science and International Affairs program (PSIA) of the American University of Armenia (AUA) hosted a guest lecture led by Mr. Rafik Mansour, which focused on recruiting and training the diplomats that shape and advance U.S. foreign policy. Before the seminar, the Deputy Chief of Mission of the U.S. Embassy of Armenia, Mr. Mansour was taken on a tour of the University and met with AUA Administration. Also, students had an opportunity to participate in a 30-minute discussion with the guest speaker.

A career member of the Senior Foreign Service, Mr. Mansour is currently the Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan. In his last assignment, he was the Senior Deputy Director of Public Diplomacy (PD) in the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs (EUR), helping lead PD efforts, policy, and resources in 50 EUR countries. In previous assignments, he served as Public Affairs Officer in Libya and Algeria, Cultural Counselor in Iraq and France, Political Officer in Italy, and Political/Economic Officer in Russia. He started his Foreign Service career as Vice Consul in Haiti. Mr. Mansour is a recipient of numerous Superior and Meritorious Honor awards from the State Department. He was also the runner-up for the 2009 Edward Murrow Award for Excellence in Public Diplomacy for exemplary use of soft power in combating violent extremism in Algeria. Mr. Mansour obtained a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in French Literature from the University of California, Irvine. He recently obtained a Master’s degree in National Security Strategy from the National War College. He speaks Arabic, Russian, French, Italian, and Creole.

Founded in 1991, the American University of Armenia (AUA) is a private, independent university located in Yerevan, Armenia and affiliated with the University of California. AUA provides a global education in Armenia and the region, offering high-quality, graduate and undergraduate studies, encouraging civic engagement, and promoting public service and democratic values.