Mark Howard is the Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Private Sector Exchange Program Administration in the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The mission of the Bureau is to advance U.S. foreign policy objectives through educational and cultural programs that enhance mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other nations.

He leads an office responsible for the monitoring of Exchange Visitor Program sponsors to ensure full compliance with established Department policy and statutory and regulatory requirements, with the paramount goal of ensuring exchange visitor health, safety and welfare. Prior to his current position, Mr. Howard oversaw exchanges through the Fulbright Program, the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government, and concurrently directed two Department-designated exchange visitor programs including an international training program for environmental leaders and an academic exchange program for university research scholars and professors.

He has traveled, lived and/or worked in over 30 countries including two years of service as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in the Philippines. Mr. Howard speaks Filipino (Tagalog).