Reuben Brigety facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Reuben Brigety
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Official portrait, 2022
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| United States Ambassador to South Africa | |
| In office August 11, 2022 – January 3, 2025 |
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| President | Joe Biden |
| Preceded by | Lana Marks |
| Succeeded by | Dana M. Brown (Chargé d'affaires ad interim) |
| Vice-Chancellor and President of Sewanee: The University of the South | |
| In office June 17, 2020 – December 21, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | John McCardell Jr. |
| Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at the George Washington University | |
| In office October 1, 2015 – May 30, 2020 |
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| Succeeded by | Alyssa Ayres |
| United States Ambassador to the African Union | |
| In office October 7, 2013 – September 24, 2015 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Preceded by | Michael Battle |
| Succeeded by | Mary Beth Leonard |
| Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs | |
| In office November 14, 2011 – September 3, 2013 |
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| President | Barack Obama |
| Secretary |
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Reuben E. Brigety II
September 7, 1973 Jacksonville, Florida, U.S. |
| Spouse | Leelie Selassie |
| Education | United States Naval Academy (BS) Cambridge University (MA, PhD) |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  United States Navy |
Reuben E. Brigety II (born September 7, 1973) is an American diplomat and educator. He has served as the United States ambassador to South Africa. Before this, he was the leader of the University of the South in Tennessee. He also worked as a dean at George Washington University. Earlier in his career, Brigety was the U.S. ambassador to the African Union. He also held roles as a deputy assistant secretary of state.
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Early Life and Education
Reuben Brigety grew up in Jacksonville, Florida. His father was a doctor, and his mother was an educator. He was the second-highest-ranking student (salutatorian) when he graduated from Sandalwood High School.
He attended the United States Naval Academy. There, he was the Midshipman Brigade Commander in his final year. This is a top leadership role for students. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in political science. He also graduated as a Distinguished Naval Graduate, which means he was a top student.
After college, he worked at The Pentagon. He then studied at the University of Cambridge in England. He earned a master's degree in international relations. Brigety served as a U.S. naval officer. He trained to be a submarine officer. However, he wanted to focus on helping people. So, he left the Navy honorably. He returned to Cambridge and earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree in international relations.
Career Highlights
From 2003 to 2009, Brigety was a professor. He taught government and politics at George Mason University and American University School of International Service. He also directed a program on biodefense. Before that, he worked as a researcher for Human Rights Watch. He did research in places like Afghanistan and Iraq.
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Brigety held several important government roles. From 2007 to 2008, he was a special assistant at the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). He helped with issues like democracy and humanitarian aid. From 2008 to 2009, he led the Sustainable Security Program. He also advised the U.S. Central Command on development and security.
From 2009 to 2011, he was a deputy assistant secretary of state. He oversaw U.S. refugee programs in Africa. He also managed humanitarian efforts with international partners.
In 2011, Brigety became a deputy assistant secretary of state for African Affairs. He focused on Southern African and regional security. From 2013 to 2015, he represented the United States to the African Union. He was also the U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN Economic Commission for Africa.
In 2015, he became the dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs. This is a part of the George Washington University. He started this role in October 2015.
Brigety is a member of important groups. These include the International Institute for Strategic Studies. He is also a life member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
Time at Sewanee University
In February 2020, Brigety was named the next vice-chancellor and president of Sewanee: The University of the South. He started this job in June 2020. The vice-chancellor is the main academic leader at Sewanee.
He was the first African American to lead Sewanee. At that time, only a small percentage of students were Black. He faced some challenges during his time there. He left Sewanee in December 2021.
United States Ambassador to South Africa
On December 1, 2021, Brigety announced he would leave Sewanee. He said he might be nominated to be the ambassador to South Africa. He was nominated for the role in February 2022.
The Senate confirmed his nomination in July 2022. He officially began his role on August 11, 2022. He presented his credentials to President Cyril Ramaphosa.
In May 2023, Brigety made a comment about South Africa. This led to some tension between the United States and South Africa. South Africa denied the comment and said Brigety later apologized. South Africa's foreign ministry called Brigety to discuss the matter. South Africa also announced an investigation into the claims.
Personal Life
Reuben Brigety can speak several languages. He speaks Spanish, French, and Amharic.
