UND professor first in ND to be named Council on Foreign Relations Education Ambassador

August 18, 2026 - 22:32

Francisco Del Canto Viterale, an associate professor of Space Studies at the University of North Dakota, has been selected as one of 80 higher education ambassadors for the Council on Foreign Relations for the 2026-27 academic year. He is the first educator from North Dakota to receive this designation.

The Council on Foreign Relations, a nonpartisan think tank based in New York, chooses faculty members who show a strong commitment to international affairs and global policy education. Ambassadors serve as liaisons between the CFR and their home institutions, organizing events, hosting speakers, and encouraging student engagement with pressing global issues.

Del Canto Viterale's work focuses on the intersection of space policy, international relations, and emerging technologies. His research examines how nations cooperate and compete in space exploration, satellite communications, and orbital resource management. He has published widely on the governance of outer space and the role of private companies in the space sector.

In his new role, he will bring CFR resources to campus, including access to expert briefings, research reports, and networking opportunities for students and faculty. He will also help develop curriculum that connects space studies with broader questions of diplomacy and security.

The selection process is competitive, with nominations reviewed by CFR staff and former ambassadors. Candidates must demonstrate teaching excellence, a record of scholarly output, and a clear plan for promoting international affairs education on their campus.

Del Canto Viterale said he plans to use the appointment to create new student forums on space security and to build stronger ties between UND and policy institutions in Washington. He also hopes to mentor students interested in careers in foreign service, aerospace law, and international organizations.

The University of North Dakota is one of the few institutions in the country offering a dedicated Space Studies program, and this recognition highlights the growing importance of space policy in global affairs. The ambassador term runs from July 2026 through June 2027.