I have been fortunate to have served in positions in government, writing, education and non-profits sectors. I worked in three presidential administrations, including eleven years at the U.S. Agency for International Development, where I worked on such issues as Asian development and international narcotics control; and a for a very excited period as Deputy Under Secretary for International Affairs at the U.S. Department of Education.

Among my major roles in the latter position was being involved with the United States’ return to the United Nations Education and Social and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2003. I also worked with various countries and multilateral organizations on education issues.

Another highlight was serving as a working group chair for the Commission for Assistance to a Free Cuba, which submitted its report to the President in 2004. My interagency group looked at such issues as health, housing, education, social services and short-term humanitarian assistance.

I also have been a full-time writer and directed a center at a higher education non-profit organization.

My focus now is exclusively on teaching. Northern Virginia Community College is the fourth college at which I have been teaching. In addition to teaching Western civilization and U.S. history courses, my assignments have included a course on “Asia in the Modern World” and a graduate course on charter schools.