Point Park University Hosts U.S. Department of State's "Career Connections" Seminar, Students Get to Meet Diplomat on Campus Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Students at Point Park University got a chance to "Chat With a Diplomat" during a special event hosted in the West Penn building on Sept. 24. 

Attendees filled the Michael P. Pitterich Sales and Innovation Center to hear from Geoff Anisman, deputy assistant secretary for Preservation and Global Platforms at the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In his role as a U.S. diplomat, Anisman shared a portfolio of global experiences with students eager to learn what it takes to work for an organization overseeing various global relationships.

"The most interesting part of the conversation to me was when Anisman talked about his experience working abroad and all the interesting things he did in places like Ukraine and Israel," said Bryce Mwenda, a junior in the public relations, advertising and social media program. "His anecdotes about his time working on visa approval were quite fun."

During the hour-long presentation, Anisman covered a variety of global experiences that shaped his career and shared a love of learning that has continued to grow as a diplomat. His love of languages drew him to the Foreign Service, which offered exciting opportunities to explore the world, meet a variety of interesting people and build outreach skills in the United States.

Students also got a chance to ask several questions about the role of a United States diplomat, including what it takes to get into public service and steps they could take to follow a similar path. Anisman offered friendly responses, highlighting opportunities Point Park students could use to build their portfolios.

"Point Park University is big on experiential learning and meeting with career professionals is one of its pillars," said Tatyana Dumova, Ph.D., a professor in the School of Communication. "Such events offer informational exposure to students, let them reflect on their goals and eventually bridge the classroom to the workforce.

Career Connections brings regional leaders, government agencies and people together on campus

Anisman's visit was part of the U.S. Department of State’s "Career Connections Pittsburgh: From Steel to Startups" seminar, hosted at Point Park University by the Rowland School of Business.

During the two-day event, Pittsburgh business leaders joined 50 local and regional U.S. citizen exchange alumni from a variety of programs, including the Fulbright Program, Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, the U.S. Peace Corps and more, including 11 Pittsburgh residents. The group attended professional development seminars, using the opportunity to network and engage with the U.S. Department of State on the exchange alumni network’s role in demonstrating American leadership and innovation.

“This seminar provides an opportunity for Pittsburgh organizations and leaders to share the region’s story with an international exchange alumni audience who can become ambassadors for Pittsburgh’s transformation and its approach to innovation and economic development,” said Dorene Ciletti, Ph.D., professor and the program director for the event.

The U.S. Department of State offers opportunities for Americans to travel abroad for cultural, educational or professional exchange programs. By continuing to support alumni, they hope to build on the investments made in their careers. 

“Exchange alumni are the return on investment. Not in the abstract, but in the careers they build and the excellence they create right here at home in Pittsburgh and across the United States,” Anisman said. “That is citizen diplomacy in its most tangible form. It doesn't only happen in an embassy — it happens in a Pittsburgh boardroom, a startup incubator, a research lab.”

Speakers at the event included Patrice Matamoros, president of Junior Achievement of Western Pennsylvania, and Silvija Stoljevska, project director for IREX. During breakout sessions and workshops, several Point Park faculty members also joined discussions and shared their industry experience with audiences. 

Career Connections Seminars are a component of the U.S. Exchange Alumni Program, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State with funding provided by the U.S. government and implemented with support from IREX.

More About: Rowland School of Business, School of Arts and Sciences, School of Communication, Pittsburgh