SIPA announced this week that Caroline Kennedy, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan and a 1988 graduate of Columbia Law School, will be the featured speaker at SIPA’s graduation ceremonies in May 2015.

Ambassador Kennedy, who is the first female U.S. Ambassador to Japan, was warmly received upon assuming office on November 19 of last year.

Her current position is the latest step in a life devoted to public service. She previously worked as vice chair of the board of directors and honorary director of the Fund for Public Schools in New York City and as chief executive of the Office of Strategic Partnerships of the New York City Department of Education.

Ambassador Kennedy has also served numerous nonprofit organizations, boards, and foundations, including the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

We’re looking forward to welcoming her back to Columbia this spring.