The M. Lee Rice Institute for Global Leadership will serve as the nexus of the University's efforts to create stronger partnerships within the global community and expand opportunities for students to engage in international organizations.
man at the front of the global digital classroom speaking

The Institute will house NDMU’s United Nations Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status initiatives in addition to bringing together: 

  • Leadership opportunities;
  • Global perspectives;
  • Partnership-building; and
  • Forums for discussing international issues.

As an international hub on campus, the Institute for Global Leadership will focus on:

  • Teaching students about global issues and policy;
  • Creating global outreach opportunities for students and faculty; and
  • Leveraging NDMU’s NGO status for student engagement and learning.

Joan Devlin Visiting Ambassador Program

Each year, the Institute will invite a speaker to campus for discussions on politics, ethics, international affairs, women’s rights, service abroad, and other topics related to global issues.

2014-15 –Simona-Mirela Miculescu, Permanent Representative of Romania to the United Nations 

2015-16 – Claudia Fritsche, Ambassador of the Principality of Lichtenstein to the United States of America

2016-17 – Gabriela Martinic, Argentinian Deputy Ambassador to the United Nations

2017-18 – Dina Kawar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to the United States of America

2019-20 – Hunaina Sultan Al Mughairy, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to the United States of America