Christie Vilsack takes “dream job” with USAID

WASHINGTON – Christie Vilsack announced today that she has taken a new position with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Vilsack will be Senior Advisor on International Education for USAID.

Vilsack, calling the new position a “dream job” will allow her to “combine my experience as an educator, and my passion for literacy and education to support USAID’s Education Strategy.”

Vilsack says that USAID’s strategy focuses on three specific goals in 51 countries:

1. Improving 100 million children’s reading skills,

2. Strengthening youth & workforce development, and

3. Providing equitable access to education in crisis and conflict settings for over 15 million students

“I hope to contribute by expanding USAID’s outreach to education partners, the private sector, universities, foundations, faith-based organizations, and to convince non-traditional partners and individuals to become Education Champions!” Vilsack stated.  “I will participate in international donor and multi-lateral engagement including the Global Partnership for Education and the UN’s Global Education First Initiative.

“I am busy getting up to speed on all of USAID’s amazing work around the world and I am excited to be traveling soon to many of our regions to see the work first-hand.”

Vilsack promised to send updates “on all of my adventures and everything we are doing to ensure that education continues to change lives around the world.”

Vilsack, wife of United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, was soundly defeated by Republican Steve King in an election for Iowa’s newly-created Fourth District last November.