Newswise — Elizabeth City State University held its 142nd commencement at 9 a.m. on May 6 in the R. L. Vaughan Center with Dr. Sarah E. Moten, the Education Division Chief for the U. S. Agency for International Development's Africa Bureau, as the speaker.

As the Education Division Chief, Dr. Moten manages and implements President George Bush's Africa Education Initiative. Last November, Dr. Moten kicked off phase two of that initiative and hosted a three-day summit for participating universities. ECSU is one of the six participating universities. With the assistance of several ECSU professors led by Dr. Johnny Houston, professor of mathematics in the ECSU School of Mathematics, Science and Technology and the ECSU project administrator for the African Textbook Initiative, ECSU has played a vital role in producing millions of textbooks for African school children. The university received $3 million from the U.S. Agency for International Development to provide support for the "Textbook and Learning Materials Program." While administering a $600 million dollar budget, Dr. Moten supervises a staff of 10 to deliver the Africa Bureau's core education programs in all of the Sub-Saharan African countries.

Prior to her current position in Washington D.C., Dr. Moten served as an Education for Development and Democracy Initiative Coordinator within the National Security Council. Dr. Moten's other professional experience includes the former Director of International Affairs at the University of the District of Columbia; Special Assistant to the President at the National Council of Negro Women, Inc.; Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Refugee Assistance at the U.S. Department of State; Special Assistant to the Secretary of Health at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dr. Moten has also held several administrative positions within the US Peace Corps.

Several national agencies and institutions have recognized Dr. Moten for her service. Some of her accomplishments include the 2005 Women in International Award from Swarthmore College and the 2005 International Award from the U. S. Department of Agriculture. Other awards include the 2004 Outstanding Service Award from The Links, Inc.; the 2004 Citation of Distinction from the Forum for African Women Educationalist; the 2003 Outstanding Contributions Award from the National Bar Association; the1997 Outstanding Service Award from the U.S. Department of Energy; the 1993 Meritorious Honors Awards from the Undersecretary of State, Department of State; the 1993 Certificate of Appreciation from the Refugee Programs, Department of State.

Dr. Moten earned a doctorate degree in Education, Administration and Supervision from Clark Atlanta University; a master's degree in Education, Guidance and Counseling from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from Hampton University.

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