Master's Student Named Citizen of the Year

International Education Policy Program (IEP) master's student Siury Pulgar recently was named a citizen of the year by El Nacional - a major newspaper in Venezuela. Pulgar received the honor along with Silvia Martin, a fellow for her 10,000 Book Challenge.

"It is a great and amazing to receive such an acknowledgement but I feel there is so much more work to be done," she said. "I'm still doing work and, until I see the actual results in the quality of life and family in Venezuela, I won't feel complete."

Pulgar's 10,000 Book Challenge aims to turn Venezuelan libraries into learning centers for students and families. She recently told Ed. magazine that Venezuela has a ratio of one library to 35,000 people. She has made it her mission to transform Venezuelan libraries into destination spots.

Puglar is one of 10 people named citizens of the year by El Nacional. Among the other honorees are President Barack Obama and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva.

Professor Fernando Reimers, director of IEP, is ecstatic about having one of his students named citizen of the year. "I am very pleased by the project she initiated to expand the opportunities of children in Macuto to enhance their literacy skills, and I am glad that her work has been recognized with the important distinction of being named citizen of the year by El Nacional, a major and important newspaper in Venezuela," he said. "Siury exemplifies well the social commitment of students in the International Education Policy Program who understand that leadership that makes a difference combines academic excellence with civic engagement."