The American University of Iraq, Sulaimani (AUIS) was honored to host U.S. Consul General Steve Bitner and his successor, Consul General Gwendolyn “Wendy” Green, during their visit to campus on August 13. The visit marked an official introduction of Consul General Green to the AUIS community and the Kurdistan Region.

President Dr. Bilal Wahab welcomed the delegation and highlighted AUIS’s role as an institution of public service, committed to building new generations of leaders in business and other fields. He spoke about AUIS’s diverse academic offerings, its liberal arts education model, and the University’s ongoing accreditation process, led by AUIS Provost Dr. Robert Perrins. Dr. Wahab also showcased new initiatives on campus that will be shared in the Fall season. Consul General Green, who assumed her role in August 2025, shared her impressions after spending three days in the Kurdistan Region, describing it as complex, dynamic, and full of energy. She noted that the vitality of the people, along with their focus o the future, was evident from the moment she arrived in Kurdistan.

With a distinguished diplomatic career spanning nearly 25 years, CG Green has served in senior leadership positions across the globe, including Deputy Chief of Mission in Ethiopia, Chargé d’Affaires in Malta, and Chief of Consular Services in Dubai. Her extensive experience includes postings in Suriname, the Netherlands, South Africa, and Afghanistan, as well as significant leadership roles in Washington, D.C. She is a multiple Senior Performance Pay recipient, four-time Superior Honor Award honoree, and a recipient of both the Secretary of State’s Expeditionary Diplomacy Award and the Secretary of Defense’s Joint Civilian Service Commendation Medal.