Angelina (Farber) Wilkinson ’94, knows a thing or two about the importance of negotiation and diplomacy. As chargé d’ affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Samoa, she honed this know-how while studying political science and criminal justice at WSU, where her learning was not limited to the classroom.
“One of my favorite activities at Wichita State was being a part of the Model UN Program,” she says. “We would sit in the room with other student representatives negotiating for hours over one sentence and how it should be worded to benefit our assigned countries.”
Now applying these skills in Samoa, Wilkinson, a native of Maize, Kan., previously served at U.S. Missions in Matamoros and Guadalajara, Mexico, and San Salvador, El Salvador. She has also been assigned to Kolonia, the Federated States of Micronesia.
“The best part of my job is interacting with Americans overseas,” she says. “One of the most difficult but rewarding parts of my job is protecting American citizens from harm and helping them get home safely. I have visited countless jails in Mexico and San Salvador.”
In Samoa, she says, education and English language programs are two of her priorities, and are assisted by a substantial Peace Corps presence. “My favorite time as a diplomat is spent visiting schools and seeing U.S. support of new schools, libraries and programs become a reality for students,” she says, and adds:
“I am extremely grateful to the political science department, and for the fantastic global education I received at Wichita State.”
