Utah Valley University hosted Tony Medina on February 6th, 2024. Mr. Medina was the president of the Utah International Mountain Forum from 2015 to 2016.
Mr. Medina lecturing at UVU
Mr. Medina's visit was a remarkable opportunity for our club members to engage with a distinguished guest and gain valuable insights into the world of diplomacy and international relations. As a Special Agent in the Diplomatic Security Service, Mr. Medina shared his experiences and expertise, inspiring our members with his passion for public service and his ambition to become a Foreign Service Officer.
Throughout his presentation, Mr. Medina emphasized his accomplishments, tribulations, and the lessons he learned along the way. His engagement with local and international events while serving as a member of UIMF helped guide his way to becoming a Foreign Service Officer. The events he was involved ranged from successfully hosting the Women of the Mountain Conference at Utah Valley University in 2015 to hosting President of the Economic and Social Council, Permanent Representative of Austria to the United Nations, Ambassador Martin Sajdik in 2015, to observing International Mountain Day with Permanent Representative of Fiji to the United Nations, Ambassador Peter Thompson in 2015, future President of the United Nations General Assembly. He was able also to visit United Nations and establish a tradition for UVU students to advocate for mountain women during sessions of the Commission on the Status of Women.
Group Photo of Mr. Medina with UVU faculty and students
He highlighted the importance of engagement, which broadened his perspective on global issues. He discussed how, in December of 2014, while advocating for gender equality at the “#WeForShe” Campaign at BYU, he learned that individuals need basic comfort levels such as food and water, causing them to lack interest in topics such as equal rights. They care about living first. This event showed him that he should let the women take charge and listen to what they really need.
Janessa Purcell, Vice-President of UIMF presents gift to Tony Medina
In addition to the discussion of his experience, he also provided the four fundamental lessons he learned from UIMF: protocol, logistics, bureaucracy, and priority tasking pivot. Being part of the club taught him the necessity of relying on the resources he has available, such as calling the appropriate people. He learned that bureaucracy is how the machine keeps moving, and that it’s important to use it to his advantage. He also learned that he would sometimes be placed in situations where he had to change his priorities. It helped him pivot his priority tasking by accepting new priorities and moving on.
"Dream Team" which successfully hosted 2015 Women of the Mountains Conference (L to R): Jesler Molina, Tony Medina and Deann Torsak.
Mr. Medina's encouragement for UVU students to get involved in campus activities and enjoy the learning process resonated deeply with our club's mission of student-engaged learning. His visit underscored the valuable resources and opportunities available to students at UVU, motivating us to continue our efforts in promoting engagement and collaboration within the university community.
Line Fourie - UIMF Member
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VIDEO OF PRESENTATION AT POLS3640 CLASS
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