Webster Geneva Taps UNESCO Leadership

UNESCO Education Director Moves to Webster University Geneva

ST. LOUIS (MAY 15, 2014) - Clementina Acedo, the current director of United Nation’s Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) International Bureau of Education (IBE) in Geneva, was named the director of Webster University’s Geneva campus, it was announced this week. She will start her new leadership role in early August.

Acedo has been in the managerial position at UNESCO for the past seven years and has extensive academic experience. She has been the chief editor of “Prospects,” an academic journal on comparative education, since 2007 and previously was a professor of education at the University of Pittsburgh.

“Webster University Geneva, the longest serving of our international campuses, is firmly embedded in the local community, while serving a globally diverse student body,” said Webster University President Elizabeth “Beth” Stroble. “We welcome Dr. Acedo's leadership and greatly anticipate continued and future successes for Webster Geneva in a dynamic time for higher education around the world.”

Acedo has a doctorate in International Education, a master’s in philosophy, and a master’s in international education, all from Stanford University. She earned an undergraduate degree in sociology from the Catholic University Andres Bello in Venezuela.

As the director of IBE, she co-developed two regional masters programs in Africa and Latin America. She oversaw the creation of collaborative agreements between IBE and Swiss higher education and research institutes and helped organize several regional educational conferences, including the 2008 International Conference on Education. She also oversaw fund-raising efforts and developed professional relationships with both governmental and non-governmental agencies.

“Dr. Acedo is an experienced educator, having worked in American universities as well as in international organizations” said Julian Schuster, the provost, senior vice president and chief operating officer for Webster. “Webster will benefit tremendously from her experiences. Her impressive academic accomplishments and formidable business acumen will elevate the Geneva campus’ already stellar reputation.”

Prior to working at the IBE, Acedo was a professor of international comparative education and philosophy at the University of Pittsburgh. Other duties at the University included serving as director of the Institute for International Education, serving on the advisory committee of the Center for Latin American Studies, and acting as the principal investigator of a USAID financed research project on secondary education reforms. She previously worked as an educational specialist at the World Bank. 

About Webster University

With its home campus in St. Louis, Webster University (www.webster.edu) is the only Tier 1, private, non-profit U.S.-based university providing a network of international residential campuses and a robust online learning program. Founded in 1915, Webster University’s campus network today includes metropolitan, military and corporate locations around the world, as well as traditional campuses in Asia, Europe, North America, and Africa. The university is committed to delivering high-quality learning experiences that transform students for global citizenship and individual excellence.