UW’s Daniel McCoy Selected for Prestigious U.S. Department of State Speaker Program

Daniel McCoy, director of the University of Wyoming’s Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute, has been selected to join the U.S. Department of State’s U.S. Speaker Program, part of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

 

The U.S. Speaker Program engages American experts to share their knowledge and perspectives with international audiences, fostering dialogue and strengthening people-to-people connections worldwide. As a U.S. Speaker, McCoy will represent the United States by speaking on issues related to outdoor recreation, tourism, hospitality and higher education’s role in supporting those industries through research, workforce development and statewide engagement. 

 

“This honor is deeply meaningful,” McCoy says. “Wyoming has a unique story to tell about the intersection of natural resources, tourism and workforce development, and I am excited to share those lessons internationally while also learning from communities abroad.”

 

McCoy has led the WORTH Institute since 2022, guiding research, workforce development and statewide engagement in Wyoming’s outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality sectors. His career at UW spans more than two decades, during which he has developed new academic programs, spearheaded statewide research initiatives and built partnerships across business, government and community sectors.

 

“I see this opportunity as a chance to highlight the innovative work happening in Wyoming, particularly around tourism and workforce development,” McCoy adds. “Equally important, it allows me to bring back global perspectives that will enrich our students, our research and our communities here at home.”

 

Parag Chitnis, vice president for research and economic development, praises McCoy’s selection as a testament to the university’s national and international impact.

 

“Dr. McCoy’s invitation to join the U.S. Speaker Program demonstrates the University of Wyoming’s leadership in tourism and outdoor recreation research. It shows Dr. McCoy’s recognition as a global leader in this field,” Chitnis says. “His participation will not only represent Wyoming on the world stage, but also will strengthen UW’s role in advancing global conversations about community resilience and economic development.”

 

The Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute is one of only two named institutes at UW and is dedicated to advancing research, education and industry partnerships in Wyoming’s outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality industries. The institute is named in honor of Jay Kemmerer, who led the transformation of the Jackson Hole Mountain Resort into a global destination. 

 

“Representing the University of Wyoming in this program is both a responsibility and a privilege,” McCoy says. “I look forward to building bridges that highlight the best of what Wyoming and the United States have to offer.”