Ever wonder who becomes an American ambassador and what they do? Professor (and former ambassador) Dennis Jett will explain that and also describe how the country to which a person is sent as ambassador can be influenced by money, religion, politics, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation. While some say that communications technology has made the role of an ambassador unnecessary and largely symbolic, Jett will explain why they are more important than ever.

Dennis Jett is a professor of international affairs at Pennsylvania State University. A former career diplomat, he served 28 years in the State Department in Argentina, Israel, Malawi and Liberia, on the National Security Council and was US Ambassador to Peru and Mozambique.