Cal Poly College of Liberal Arts Honored Alumna to Talk on U.S. Coast Guard Experience Oct. 31
Cal Poly College of Liberal Arts 2014 Honored Alumna Kelli Seybolt will give a presentation titled “Bananas, Terrorism and the South China Sea: Global Partnerships, National Security, and Making a Difference in Public Service” at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 31, in Room 124 in Philips Hall in the Performing Arts Center.
Seybolt, a 1990 political science graduate, is director of international affairs and foreign policy advisor for the U. S. Coast Guard, dealing with a range of agency activities related to international affairs and engagement. She manages the development, coordination and implementation of agency strategy, policy and programs relating to international Coast Guard activities.
“Consistently working at the intersection of public policy, technology and international relations, Kelli assumed increasingly important leadership roles in the historically male-dominated Department of Defense,” said Douglas Epperson, dean of the College of Liberal Arts. “Her personal and professional success as a trailblazer, leader and public servant is a wonderful model for our students, as is her application of liberal arts knowledge and skills in the realm of technology.”
A member of the federal civil service for more than 20 years, Seybolt’s experience includes public, interagency and international affairs. Her previous rules include serving as the external affairs officer for the National Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellite System Integrated Program Office and as senior advisor to the deputy assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Plans and Policy in the Pentagon.
Her numerous awards include the SECAF Award, the 1990 Lyndon Baines Johnson Scholarship, the 2008 Assistant Secretary of Defense for Networks and Information Integration/Chief Information Officer Group Achievement Award, and the 2008 Air Force International Affairs Eagle Award.
She is among six Cal Poly 2014 Honored Alumni who will be feted during the university’s Homecoming weekend, Oct. 31-Nov. 2.
The Oct. 31 talk is free and open to the public.