President Brophy Represents U.S. State Department Speaker Program in South Africa
August 20, 2026
Hudson Valley Community College President Dr. Michael Brophy visited South Africa this month as part of the U.S. Speaker Program, an initiative of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
Dr. Brophy delivered presentations and participated in discussions highlighting U.S. excellence and innovation in workforce development, technical and vocational education, and community college leadership as part of events commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. During the visit, he engaged with Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges, as well as industry, government and education leaders, in Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and Johannesburg.
Presentation topics included “From Apprenticeships to AI: 250 Years of American Workforce Development Innovation,” “Building for the Future: The Applied Technology Education Center (ATEC) Model,” “The Occupational Shift: Lessons from America’s CTE Transformation,” “The U.S. Community College Model,” and “Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Workforce Development.”
The program, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, provided funding for all components of the visit. Brophy was selected for the program based on his expertise in international education and Hudson Valley Community College’s recognized leadership in workforce development, technical education and international collaboration.
“It is an honor to have been selected to travel to South Africa as part of the U.S. Speaker Program and to share Hudson Valley’s initiatives in workforce training, the importance of community colleges, and the opportunities created when education and industry work together to strengthen local economies,” Brophy said. “Our nation’s track record on workforce development proves that the strength of our democracy is inextricably linked to its commitment to providing access to higher education. South Africa is a remarkable country and a new democracy, and I’m pleased to have been able to share proven strategies with their educational leaders on behalf of Hudson Valley.”
The U.S. Speaker Program advances U.S. public diplomacy by recruiting prominent American experts to engage with foreign decision-makers and professional audiences on issues of strategic importance to the United States. Programs are developed in collaboration with U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide and include in-person and virtual exchanges, workshops, lectures, seminars and consultations. The Office of the U.S. Speaker Program conducts approximately 600 programs annually.