Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez Visits Semester at Sea

July 1, 2009: Congresswoman Loretta Sanchez (D-California) recently sailed aboard the MV Explorer as a distinguished guest lecturer, speaking on topics including public education, leadership, and Italian culture. In addition, she lectured in eight courses, such as Women in the Contemporary World, Global Access to Education, and Human Rights Protection. Sanchez is the ranking woman of the House Armed Services Committee and sits on the Oversight and Investigations, Strategic Forces, and Military Personnel Subcommittees. "She was a remarkable presence and resource," said Michael Zoll, executive dean of the voyage.

During her several day voyage, Sanchez hosted an Explorer Seminar with the entire shipboard community, spent time with Latino and Latina students, met with diversity scholars and their mentors, toured the Bridge with the Captain, and hosted the voyage's lifelong learners.

Sanchez, who is fluent in Italian and has visited Italy seven times over the past year, also agreed to present at the preport talk for Italy. Her expertise on the culture, sites, and geography were appreciated by the shipboard community, who stopped her in the halls to talk and ask questions during her visit.

"Her participation in so many of our classes allowed students to see and interact with her in many deeply meaningful ways," said Michael Smith, academic dean. "Faculty and students marveled at her energy, her sure grasp of a wide range of important and complex issues, and at her sheer generosity of spirit."

Watch a video about her visit on the SAS You Tube Channel.

Read more about her time on the voyage via the SAS Voyage Blog.