Executive-in-Residence, Center for Congressional and Presidential Studies, School of Public Affairs
Area of Expertise:
American First Ladies, White House operations and decision-making, global women’s leadership, educational and cultural exchanges, women in Afghanistan, Fulbright
Additional Information:
At American University, McBride currently directs programming and national conferences on the legacies of America’s first ladies and their historical influence on politics, policy and global diplomacy. She also serves as a strategic consultant to global non-profit organizations and policy institutes. McBride co-founded the RAND African First Ladies Initiative and Fellowship program, to support first ladies’ efforts to improve multi-sector outcomes in their countries and train their advisors in strategies for managing an effective First Lady’s office. Her White House service spans two decades and three presidential administrations, including serving as Director of White House Personnel under Presidents Ronald Reagan and George H. W. Bush, Director of the U.S. Speaker's Bureau at the United States Information Agency, and White House Liaison at the U.S. Department of State. She has worked on and coordinated several presidential transitions. Current Affiliations: J. William Fulbright Foreign Scholarship Board, White House Historical Association, US/Afghan Women’s Council, National Italian American Foundation Board - Chairs the Education, Grants, and Scholarships Committee Awards: Recipient of the National Guard and Reserve’s Patriot Award, the University of Connecticut’s President's Award of Distinction, and American University’s Women & Politics Institute’s Alice Paul Award.
Foreign Language Fluency:
Italian
Academic Credentials:
B.A. in International Studies from the University of Connecticut; Washington Semester program in foreign policy at American University; Studied international relations and foreign languages at the University of Florence in Italy
Category:
Foreign Policy and International Relations, Government and Public Administration-Presidency, Middle East-Afghanistan, Middle East-Pakistan, Politics-Campaigns and Elections, Politics-Women in Politics