The Institute for Global Initiatives has chosen a new executive director to join KSU in July 2013.
Dr. Lance Askildson, assistant provost for internationalization at the University of Notre Dame, has been chosen as the new executive director for IGI.
Dr. Barry Morris, interim executive director for the past two years, said Askildson “has an outstanding record in international education and experience at several levels.” Morris said he is excited about the new addition to the program because it will bring some permanence to the position and the institute as a whole.
“For the people involved it means new energy and new progress,” he said. While IGI has already received many awards, Morris said he hopes Askildson will continue to bring recognition to the program and expand it.
While at Notre Dame, Askildson was most recently the assistant provost for internationalization, providing strategic planning and leadership for the university’s International Studies Program as well as support and programming for foreign, second language and service programs on and off campus.
Askildson was also the director of the Center for the Study of Languages and Cultures and developed language learning programs. He was a part of the administration for the study abroad programs as well as an associate professor of the practice and second language acquisition.
Askildson’s experience and success at Notre Dame were what made him stand out from other candidates, according to the IGI search committee.
IGI promotes global learning and awareness through academic programs, services and research to get a deeper understanding of the world. The institute consists of the employees within it, faculty, staff and KSU students.
IGI has received much recognition in the past year, including the Sen. Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization from NAFSA, the association for international educators. In 2010, the U.S. Center for Citizen Diplomacy selected KSU as one of the top 10 higher education institutes in the country with exemplary programs designed to engage Americans in international activities and issues.
One of the institute’s activities is the “Year of Program,” which promotes a new country each year to assist students in learning about and experiencing other countries and cultures.
The program hosts conferences, lectures, performers, exhibits and films, depending on the country selected for the year. The program works with the General Education Council and offers grants to encourage faculty and staff to promote and disseminate information about the “Year of Program.”The 2012- 2013 year is the Year of Ghana, and many lecturers and exhibits on Ghana’s history and culture have been and will be available throughout the year.
Morris will return to his previous position as vice provost for strategic initiatives when Askildson takes his place as executive director in July.
