In his current role, Verma acts as the chief operating officer of the department, leading efforts on modernization, foreign assistance and a wide range of workforce and strategic issues. Prior to his current position, Verma served as U.S. ambassador to India. During that time, he led one of the largest U.S. diplomatic missions and championed historic progress in bilateral ties. His distinguished career also includes serving as assistant secretary of state for legislative affairs, national security advisor to the senate majority leader, and a senior leader in the private sector at Mastercard, Steptoe & Johnson, and The Asia Group.

As a member of the U.S. Air Force, Verma earned numerous military awards and civil decorations, including the Meritorious Service Medal and the State Department’s Distinguished Service Award. He was a member of the President’s Intelligence Advisory Board, the Weapons of Mass Destruction and Terrorism Commission, and the Secretary of State’s Foreign Affairs Policy Board. Verma’s wide breadth of experience makes him an expert on foreign policy.

Verma has strong ties to the University of Northern Iowa, as his father, the late Kamal Verma, was a UNI alum who earned his specialist’s degree in education in 1968.

A meet and greet reception will follow Verma’s lecture. 

For those unable to attend in person, a livestream will be offered on UNI’s YouTube channel.

If you need a reasonable accommodation to participate in this event, please contact the Office of the President at 319-273-2566 prior to the event.