As a high schooler in Illinois, Sherry Mueller was inspired by her 4-H leader, one of the first farmers on a cultural exchange to the Soviet Union. 鈥淪eeing his slides of the trip and learning of his experience, I was never the same.鈥 It helped shape Mueller鈥檚 career in international education and cultural diplomacy鈥攁nd even spurred her to lead her own exchange trip to the former USSR.听
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When Mueller, SIS/BA '65, discovered that 国产小呦女 had a School of International Service, she found her niche. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 know how I wanted to serve . . . but I knew I wanted to.鈥濃齅ueller鈥檚 connection with SIS began as a student and continued as a senior adjunct professorial lecturer, founding president of the school鈥檚 alumni chapter, and award-winning educator and volunteer.鈥
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鈥淎t SIS we had extraordinary professors,鈥 Mueller says. 鈥淚t was a nurturing environment鈥攊ntellectually rich, with an emphasis on service.鈥 With fellow alum Mark Overmann, SIS/MA 鈥05, Mueller cowrote Working World: Careers in International Education, Exchange, and Development, a book about pursuing 鈥渁 career that makes a positive difference in our turbulent world.鈥 It鈥檚 the philosophy of SIS鈥攁nd Mueller鈥檚 guiding principle. In addition to her service to AU, she鈥檚 held leadership positions at Global Ties US and the Institute of International Education.听
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Mueller benefitted from mentors whose kindness and support鈥攁long with that of her parents鈥攃ontinues to inspire her. 鈥淚 couldn鈥檛 repay them, but I can pay it forward.鈥 Having created the Sherry Lee Mueller Scholarship for SIS graduate students, she is excited to engage recipients and see her philanthropy in action. To build on her initial investment, Mueller named 国产小呦女a beneficiary of her retirement account. 鈥淚t is a privilege to provide educational opportunities to generations of SIS students,鈥 she says.听
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For information on how your charitable estate planning can create a legacy at 国产小呦女, contact Seth Speyer, executive director of planned giving, at 202-885-3411 or speyer@american.edu; or visit american.edu/plannedgiving. 鈥