Mshale Staff
Daniel Getahun of the Minnesota International Center (MIC) has been recognized as “Programmer of the Year” by the National Council for International Visitors (NCIV) at its annual national Meeting in Washington, DC.
Getahun is the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) manager at MIC. IVLP is a U.S. State Department-sponsored exchange program for mid-career professionals who have been identified by U.S. embassies around the world as emerging leaders in their fields.
NCIV and its local affiliates coordinate the foreign visitors’ stays in the United States. In Minnesota, only the MIC works with the State Department on the program. Getahun‘s work is what has kept the State Department interested in Minnesota. His success in arranging professional appointments and dinner hospitality for these international visitors has been responsible for keeping the state, the Twin Cities and the MIC center stage with the State Department according to his boss, Carol Byrne, the president of Minnesota International Center.
“Daniel’s innovative programming and attention to every detail for our U.S. State Department international visitors has ensured a quality experience and raised the profile of Minnesota throughout the world,” Byrne said in an email interview.
Mr. Getahun who is of Ethiopian heritage was a math, social studies, and world religions teacher at a tuition-free college preparatory middle school in inner-city San Diego, California before he joined MIC in 2006. In a conversation with Mshale following his recognition at the national meeting, he said he preferred to think of it as recognition of Minnesota’s interest in engaging with the world, as well as the quality and diversity of the local professional resources and citizen diplomats who participate in the exchange programs.