Ann Stock was sworn in today as Assistant Secretary of State for Educational and Cultural Affairs. Assistant Secretary Stock leads the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs of the U.S. Department of State, which fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries to promote friendly and peaceful relations, as mandated by the
Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.
Ms. Stock was Vice President of Institutional Affairs at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts from September 1997 to June 2010, where she oversaw the Center's expanded efforts to increase its national and international profile. She also managed the Center's International Arts Management Programs, and oversaw its Government Relations Office, Press Office, and Office of Institutional Affairs.
From 1993-1997, Ms. Stock served as Deputy Assistant to President William J. Clinton and as Social Secretary at The White House. Prior to that, she was Vice President of Corporate Communications and Public Relations for Bloomingdale's Department Stores for ten years.
Ms. Stock was also Deputy Press Secretary to Vice President Walter F. Mondale during the 1980 Presidential election campaign. She was an elementary school teacher prior to her career in politics and business.
Assistant Secretary Stock, a native of Indiana, holds a B.A. from Purdue University. She is married and has one son.
The
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) promotes international mutual understanding through a wide range of
academic,
cultural, professional, and
sports exchange programs. ECA exchanges engage youth, students, educators, artists, athletes, and emerging leaders in many fields in the United States and in more than 160 countries.
Alumni of ECA exchanges comprise over one million people around the world, including more than 40 Nobel Laureates and more than 300 current or former heads of state and government.
