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As the U.S. State Department prepares to turn over the keys to President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, University of Virginia Vice Provost Stephen Mull has been tapped to lead the transition for the federal agency charged with administering American foreign policy and relations.
State Department spokesman Matthew Miller announced the news during a Thursday press conference, saying that Mull — who holds the rank of career ambassador, the highest diplomatic rank in the U.S. Foreign Service — has already begun his work on behalf of the department.
“He’s here. He’s been attending meetings, getting ready to coordinate the process,” Miller said, referring to Mull as a “distinguished member of the State Department family.” At UVa, Mull serves as vice provost for global affairs.
According to UVa, he is the primary lead on global relations for the university and is “responsible for developing a strategic vision, designing outreach, and overseeing international activities.” Stephen Mull was serving as U.S.
ambassador to Poland when he was tapped by the Obama administration to serve as lead coordinator on the Iran nuclear deal in 2015. The university said it was Secretary of State Antony Blinken who asked Mull in September to take on the role of helping the department transition to the administration of whichever candidate won the election. Mull accepted, and his work began on Oct.
28. An inquiry sent to his UVa email address elicited an automated response from Mull, where he wrote he is “on a long-term leave of absence” through Jan. 31, 2025.
Mull later sent The Daily Progress the following statement: “I’m honored to return temporarily to the State Department with UVA’s strong support to help guide what I hope will be a smooth transition focused on protecting vital U.S. interests during the change in administration.
” From right to left, President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Geneva, Switzerland. The State Department referred The Daily Progress to Miller’s Thursday press conference, where he told reporters that a peaceful transfer of power is essential to democracy and national security. “That’s why it’s so important for us to conduct a smooth, efficient and professional transition process,” Miller said.
“We have been working on transition activities for some time now, even before [Mull] was appointed.” Those activities, he said, include compiling briefing materials on policy and procedures “and to try to anticipate questions that the incoming transition team will have and be ready to answer those as soon as they have an agency review team that comes into the building.” Miller said Trump’s transition team had not yet contacted the department.
Reporters raise their hands as President Donald Trump fields questions during a news conference in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Thursday, Feb. 16, 2017. “But as soon as they do, we are ready to go in working with them,” Miller said.
Mull will be a key part of that work, ensuring a transition from President Joe Biden’s team to Trump’s team is as successful as possible. His appointment marks the most recent chapter in a long career with the department. Mull first joined the Foreign Service in 1982, two years after he graduated from Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service.
He served as U.S. ambassador to Lithuania from 2003 to 2006, and then as the U.
S. ambassador to Poland from 2012 to 2015. He later spent two years as lead coordinator for the Iran nuclear deal during President Barack Obama’s administration, and most recently served as acting under secretary for political affairs at the State Department.
He is the recipient of the Secretary of State’s Distinguished Service Award and multiple other honors. “The State Department’s selection of Stephen Mull’s for this important assignment confirms what those who work with him here at UVA already know — he is an accomplished and dedicated leader who is always ready to serve,” UVa Provost Ian Baucom told The Daily Progress. “In a complex and uncertain time for our globe, we are proud to see such an important member of our leadership team step forward to help the State Department transition from this administration to the next.
” Jason Armesto (717) 599-8470 [email protected] @rmest0 on X Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter. Government and politics reporter {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
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