American Corner in Rubavu Celebrates 10th Anniversary!
RUBAVU (March 24, 2022) — The Embassy of the United States of America to the Republic of Rwanda, in partnership with University of Tourism, Technology and Business Studies (UTB), celebrated the 10th anniversary of the American Corner in Rubavu, a resource center for programs and information about the United States. Over the past 10 years, the American Corner has offered thousands of youth leaders, students, English teachers, women entrepreneurs, public relations officers, and journalists, and members of the public free information and programs highlighting American culture, history, English language, and education and training opportunities in STEM and other fields.
U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Deb MacLean said, “The American Corner provides a welcoming atmosphere and is where many visitors gain their first insights into America.” She added that, “The American Corner is a U.S. Embassy partnership with UTB that demonstrates the U.S. commitment to building strong bonds with the people of Rwanda.”
The ceremony was attended by UTB Legal Representative and Founder Zulfat Mukarubega, UTB Legal Vice Chancellor Prof. Callixte Kabera, and Mayor of Rubavu District Ildephonse Kambogo.
Over our 10 years of partnership, the American Corner has become known throughout the province and neighboring cities as a source of information and programs. In a typical year, American Corner Rubavu hosts an average of 250 programs a year and approximately 24,000 visitors. It is open to the public Monday through Friday.
American Corners are part of a U.S. Department of State initiative started after World War I. There are currently 600 American Spaces in approximately 140 countries. These spaces serve as places for people to connect with the United States, access information, experience American culture, improve their English language skills, and learn about educational opportunities in the United States.
U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Deb MacLean
Deb MacLean began her assignment as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Kigali in July 2021, becoming Chargé d’Affaires in February 2022. Deb joined the Foreign Service in 2003 and is a public diplomacy officer by trade.
Prior to this posting, Deb served as the Public Affairs Officer in Pristina (2019-2021) and held the position of acting Director for Partnerships, Strategy and Communications within the Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations (2016-2018). She has also served as the deputy spokesperson in London (2013-2016), spokesperson to the U.S. Mission to Nigeria (2011-2013), Assistant Public Affairs Officer in Copenhagen (2008-2011), and Assistant General Services Officer in Riyadh (2006-2007). Her first assignment in Amman (2004-2006) was a rotational consular and political-military tour.
Deb graduated from the University of Notre Dame with a BBS in Marketing and International Business. Her husband Dave is a retired Army Colonel and graduate of West Point. Together they raise Coco, a twelve-year-old German Shepherd fluent in English, Danish and limited Albanian like her owner. (Yes, they are those types of dog owners, sadly yet proudly.) Her hobbies include travel, photography and hiking. She also has a very dry sense of humor.
