Mouzon Siddiqi and Marie Kelley provide the highest level of service to our participants from greeting them as they get off the plane to providing a network of support services through graduation and beyond.

About Staff . . .

Mouzon began working at Vanderbilt in 1975 and joined the Graduate Program in Economic Development staff in 1987 following Marilyn Whiteman who worked for the Program for 25 years. Marie began working for the Department of Economics in 1991 and joined the GPED staff in 1992 following Frances Rich who also worked for the Program for 25 years.

Both Mouzon and Marie work with students from the time they request applications until they graduate. They meet incoming students at the airport and assist students in finding suitable housing. Marie helps students register for courses; she maintains an up-to date list of all students and alumni, and writes the annual Newsletter. Mouzon and Marie work with sponsoring agencies, and assist students with forms and letters required by their sponsors and home governments.

They plan two eight-day Field Training Programs: one to Washington, D.C. during Spring Break and one to Mississippi and Louisiana (including three days in New Orleans!) in May. In addition, they plan several social events during the year including the annual Awards Dinner, the Worley and Ferguson Awards Reception, the annual Fall Picnic and various receptions following GPED Seminars.

Students may seek help from Mouzon and Marie who can personally advise them or direct them to appropriate resource persons or services.

What's the hardest part of their job? "Seeing students graduate and having to say 'goodbye'."