Dr. Sherry Mueller talks with the audience and answers their questions.

Spring Global Briefing highlights role of cultural diplomacy

Tuesday, April 16, 2024

Media Contact: Randy Kluver | Associate Provost and Dean | 405-744-6606 | randy.kluver@okstate.edu

The Oklahoma State University School of Global Studies recently hosted Dr. Sherry Mueller, a distinguished figure in public diplomacy, to campus to discuss the important role of cultural diplomacy and international exchange programs.

Mueller serves as the distinguished practitioner in residence at the School of International Service (SIS) at American University in Washington, D.C., where she teaches a graduate practicum on cultural diplomacy and international exchange. Her comments at OSU highlighted the important political, cultural and economic impact of public diplomacy tools such as exchange programs. In her speech, she reiterated the importance of “talking with strangers” as a key component in creating resilient communities.

Mueller GBS — Students engage in an interactive dialogue over coffee with Dr. Sherry Mueller.

“It was great to have Dr. Mueller on campus to talk about the importance of international exchange and citizen diplomacy," said Dr. Jami Fullerton, associate dean of the School of Global Studies. "She emphasized how all of us are citizen diplomats and have a chance to make international friends through so many programs, including study abroad, sister cities, Fulbright, Peace Corps and the International Visitor Leadership Program.”

Mueller had the opportunity to interact with students in an informal setting, delving into the topics she covered during her presentation. The warm atmosphere encouraged open dialogue, allowing students to ask questions and gain insight into the speaker’s expertise in cultural diplomacy and international exchange.

In addition to her academic work, Mueller holds leadership positions in organizations such as the Council of Public Diplomacy of America and is active on the boards of various nonprofit organizations. The Global Briefing Series, organized by the School of Global Studies, serves as a platform for intellectual exchange and knowledge dissemination, allowing participants to delve deeper into the complexities of global issues.