Mark Schneider

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE:

Director, Peace Corps, Washington, D.C. (December 1999 to January 2001).
Presidential appointee, confirmed by the U.S. Senate, responsible for policy, program, and operations of the agency which pursues goals of contributing to development, international understanding and peace through the work of its 7300 Peace Corps Volunteers. Managed a federal agency budget of more than $265 million, a staff of 2400 U.S. and foreign personnel, a Washington headquarters, 76 overseas posts and 11 domestic recruiting offices. Principal spokesperson for the Peace Corps to the Congress, the public and the press. Established new initiatives including expanded HIV/AIDS prevention education in Africa, and information technology integration into development projects.

Assistant Administrator for Latin America and the Caribbean, Agency for International Development, Washington, D.C. (October 1993 to 1999).
Responsible for managing all USAID development assistance programs in the Western Hemisphere. Chaired U.S. Government delegations to World Bank and Inter-American Development Bank donor conferences for Central American Peace accords, focused higher priority on poverty reduction, microfinance, and strengthening governance, particularly rule of law and municipal development.

Chief, Office of Analysis and Strategic Planning and Senior Policy Adviser, Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), Regional Office of the World Health Organization (WHO), Washington, D.C. (July 1981 to September 1993).
Coordinator of policy planning and senior advisor on its international relations. Directed studies on the social impact of the debt and economic crises in Latin America. Coordinator of the Central American initiative "Health as a Bridge for Peace." Participated in UN post-conflict missions to design Nicaragua and El Salvadoran demobilization and reconstruction programs.

Senior Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Human Rights and Humanitarian Affairs, Department of State, Washington, D.C. (1977-1979).
Responsible for helping developing the policy and procedures for monitoring human rights aspects of U.S. foreign policy, and raising level of priority to human rights and democracy.

Legislative Assistant, Senate Committee Staff Member, United States Senate, Office of Senator Edward M. Kennedy, (1970-1977; 1980 to June 1981). Reporter, (1963-1965). Peace Corps Volunteer, El Salvador (1966-1968).

EDUCATION:
San Jose State University, M.A. Political Science, 1965. Graduation with honors.
University of California-Berkeley, B.A. Journalism, 1963. Graduation with honors.
Visiting Professor, Georgetown University, Spring Semester l995.
Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellow, Reed College, April l981. Visiting Scholar, Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School, Fall semester 1976.

HONORS AND AWARDS:
Honorary Doctor of Laws degree, American University, Washington College of Laws, May 2000. George W. Eastman Medal for Public Service, University of Rochester, May 2000. Bernardo O'Higgins Medal for Human Rights, Government of Chile, January 1993. Congressional Fellowship, American Political Science Association, 1969-70 Recipient of numerous other scholarships and fellowships. Past board membership in various international, human rights, academic and civic organizations.

Spanish, fluent; French, conversant.