October 16, 2008
Former U.S. ambassador to join Purdue
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - |
Curiel, a Purdue alumna, will fill a previously vacant adviser's position in the president's office and will take on additional responsibilities that include overseeing implementation of the university's strategic plan and working with faculty to help develop a new Public Policy Institute. Purdue President France A. Córdova said the institute will provide informed research and scholarship to national policy discussions.
"Purdue has special expertise in many areas of critical importance to the country," Córdova said. "An engaged policy institute could facilitate discussions that inform policy-makers."
The institute, outlined in the university's new strategic plan, will bring faculty together from across the disciplines to research challenges and assess potential solutions. While specific areas have not yet been identified, many themes emerged from strategic planning workshop groups, including energy, the environment, global climate change, science education, food safety and security, and health-care science and engineering.
The institute may incorporate global affairs as part of its agenda, as another goal of the university's strategic plan is to impact global challenges. It also will promote coordination between large-scale research and economic development to impact regional, national and global economies.
"Ambassador Curiel's Purdue roots combined with her national and international experience will be tremendous assets to us as we shape and implement a policy institute in the land-grant character - an institute that reflects Purdue's strengths and will respond to the most pressing challenges facing people today," said John Contreni, the Justin S. Morrill Dean of the College of Liberal Arts, home to the Department of Communication.
As a member of The Times' editorial board, Curiel authored opinion pieces on a range of national and international topics. As senior speechwriter and special assistant in the White House, she articulated national policy on the economy, education and environment. She served as ambassador to Belize from 1997 to 2001, successfully negotiating several treaties.
"I look forward to joining the team of faculty, staff and students who created an ambitious strategic plan," said Curiel, who graduated from Purdue in 1976 with a degree in radio, television and film. "Universities like Purdue set this nation apart. They are meeting challenges, seizing opportunities and shaping our future."
Curiel also has held a variety of positions with national media, including United Press International, The Washington Post and ABC News. She also was a sports co-editor of the Exponent, the Purdue student newspaper.
Originally from Hammond, Ind., Curiel was awarded an honorary doctorate from Purdue in 2008, named a Purdue Distinguished Alumna by the College of Liberal Arts in 2005 and was a Purdue Old Master in 1999.
She is a member of the Nieman Foundation for Journalism's advisory board at Harvard University and was selected as one of "50 Women Who Made History" by Latina magazine in 1999.
Writer: Tanya Brown, (765) 494-2079, tanyabrown@purdue.edu
Sources: France A. Córdova, president@purdue.edu
Carolyn Curiel
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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