The Paterno Fellows Program and Department of Political Science are pleased to announce a special presentation on April 19 on the American war in Afghanistan.

Sean Misko (International Politics ’04) is a special advisor to the Special Representative for Afghanistan and Pakistan (SRAP) at the U.S. Department of State, part of the team implementing a “diplomatic surge” to facilitate a political settlement of the Afghanistan war.  He is responsible for shaping U.S. efforts to support Afghan reconciliation and coordinating negotiation of a strategic partnership to guide U.S.-Afghan relations following the withdrawal of combat forces.  Prior to joining the SRAP, Misko was part of a civilian-military team dispatched to Afghanistan by Gen. David Petraeus to evaluate the deteriorating security situation.  The assessment Misko co-authored informed the incoming Obama administration’s policy review.

Misko spends a great deal of his time in Afghanistan working directly with Afghans, the U.S. Military, and the U.S. Department of State.  In his talk next week, he will give an update on the situation in Afghanistan as well as discussing his role, and his journey from Penn State to Kabul.

At Penn State, Misko was a Schreyer Honors Scholar and played trumpet in the Blue Band.  He was recently inducted as a 2012 recipient of Penn State’s Alumni Achievement Award and is an active volunteer with the Department of Political Science, participating in an annual career program for undergraduates.  Next week he will receive the Political Science Outstanding Young Alumni Award.

Seating for this event is limited.  If you are interested in attending on Thursday, April 19, at 11:00 a.m. in 124 Sparks Building, register now by sending an e-mail to Barb Edwards at bae1@psu.edu.