Sheila-Weirs-Journey-from-RVC-to-the-U-S-Department-of-State.php

Sheila Weir's Journey from RVC to the U.S. Department of State

• Alumni
• 01/16/2025

Sheila Weir decided to attend Rock Valley College because it was a smart financial choice that allowed her to explore her interests before committing to a four-year college.

She is now a Regional Public Engagement Specialist at the U.S. Department of State, serving as a diplomat in the Foreign Service. Her journey highlights the benefits of starting at a community college.

 

Sheila was recently featured by the Department of State during its Community College Month celebration, which highlights the accomplishments of community college alumni and expands recruitment efforts to graduates of these institutions. In addition, the Department of State facilitates many academic exchange opportunities. It strongly focuses on bringing international students to the unique community college environment the U.S. offers and highlights the excellent opportunities available to students from abroad. 

 

Sheila began her academic journey at Rock Valley College and the University of Illinois before pursuing graduate studies at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. At RVC, she interacted with students from diverse backgrounds and appreciated the accessibility of her professors. These experiences helped her discover that career changes are a part of life and inspired her to explore various academic paths. 

 

During her time at RVC, Sheila was a student employee in the library. She credits her experience with teaching her the importance of libraries and access to resources, which later influenced her career path.  

 

“I would say at RVC, I got exposure to other programs and academic tracks that I wouldn’t have potentially risked doing if I were at a more expensive four-year program. I also got to work in the library, which set me up for my future career.” 

 

Sheila’s connection to RVC began long before her college years. As a child, she attended college football games and musicals with her mom and dad. Her dad, Jack Weir, was a teacher at RVC from 1966 to the 1980s. During the halftime shows of the football games, Sheila would play with the mainframes in her father’s office, using data punch cards, some of which she still shows off today. That experience was indelible – the exposure to computers and computer processing at a young age.  

 

Her family’s tradition of hosting local international exchange students from Cuba, Iran, Japan, and France during Thanksgiving also left a lasting impact. Exposure to other cultures provided Sheila a base for further exploration of the world. Once she became a librarian, she sought positions where she would keep learning and be exposed to more cultures than she could ever imagine. Before joining the Department of State, Sheila had the opportunity to work with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and PATH, an international public health organization – both of which had an international focus.  

 

As a Regional Public Engagement Specialist at the State Department, Sheila works with the American Spaces program (U.S. Cultural Centers), which builds friendly, peaceful relations between the people of the United States and other countries through academic, cultural, sports, and professional exchanges, as well as public-private partnerships. She promotes engagement with audiences worldwide on issues of importance to U.S. foreign policy and U.S. culture and values. Sheila is currently posted in Mexico City but has served previously in Embassies in Germany, Kenya, Colombia, and Japan, as well as working domestically in Washington, D.C. There are countless opportunities to work in diplomacy - from working on technology issues to teaching English to negotiating treaties with other countries. Sheila encourages anyone interested to reach out or to check out the Department of State career website here.