“I think she was chosen as a strong woman and president who has managed to keep democracy and the values she believes in,” she said.

“[Sirleaf] is a symbol, something that the world needs right now.”

Gonzalez-Pose—who met Sirleaf in her most recent trip to Harvard in 2008—said she found the Liberian president to be “very accessible” and “very much down to earth.”

PREDICTIONS

Faculty predict that Sirleaf—who in 2008 delivered commencement addresses at Dartmouth College and the Kennedy School—will highlight the process of rebuilding Liberia after years of civil war in her upcoming speech.

“The central theme of her speech has got to be building a state from the ashes,” said Thomas.

Thomas said he also expects Sirleaf to mention the progress and future of Africa, as well as the contributions of international aid donors.

Gonzalez-Pose said she expects Sirleaf to give “a very encouraging speech about what leaders can accomplish,” recalling Sirleaf’s “empowering” 2008 commencement speech at the Kennedy School.

Gonzalez-Pose added that she does not think that Sirleaf’s commencement speech will have political ramifications in Liberia.

Sirleaf, who has nearly completed her first six-year term as president of Liberia, will be up for reelection in October.

However, Gonzalez-Pose said she does think that Sirleaf’s speech may garner attention in the United States.

“I think it might influence the American community in [Sirleaf’s] favor,” she said.

—Staff writer Rebecca D. Robbins can be reached at rrobbins@college.harvard.edu.