AAC&U Representative Joins Inaugural Class of National Academy for International Education

Washington, DC—The Association of American Colleges and Universities announced today that Dawn Michele Whitehead, vice president of the Office of Global Citizenship for Campus, Community, and Careers, has joined the first class of theNational Academy for International Education. The Academy is an honorary society and think tank made up of distinguished leaders actively engaged in shaping international education and generating knowledge to advance the field. Created by the Institute of International Education, the Academy is comprised of twenty-three members representing higher education institutions and organizations from around the world. Members were chosen based on their representation of the core tenets of the Academy including diversity of perspectives and a commitment to equity, collaboration, and pushing the boundaries of knowledge.

“We are delighted that Dawn will represent AAC&U in the National Academy for International Education,” said AAC&U President Lynn Pasquerella. “She will bring considerable expertise to this important new effort as well as a deep commitment to equity and global citizenship.”

The Institute of International Education created the Academy to bring together distinguished thinkers to shape and advance international higher education in ways that address global challenges and build a more peaceful, sustainable, and equitable world. This year, Dawn Michele Whitehead of AAC&U will work with fellow Academy members on collaborative projects under the theme of “Reducing Inequalities in and through International Education.”

Whitehead is one of seven international education leaders who worked with the Institute of International Education to create the Academy’s framework and will serve on the provisional Executive Committee.

“It’s an honor to be part of such a distinguished group at this critical moment when calls for international interdependence and equity are being heard around the globe,” said Whitehead. “To come together as educators across national, disciplinary, and institutional lines to advance international education in equitable and sustainable ways is not only an exciting charge, but an essential one. I look forward to advancing our field with my colleagues.”

“The National Academy for International Education provides a critical space for some of the most accomplished international education professionals to work together on pressing issues for our field,” said the Institute of International Education President and CEO, Allan Goodman. “The Academy recognizes these distinguished individuals and the role they play in shaping our world.”

Established in 1919, the Institute of International Education (IIE) is a global not-for-profit that creates and implements international education programs, conducts research, and provides life-changing opportunities for students and scholars worldwide. IIE collaborates with a range of corporate, government, and foundation partners across the globe to design and manage scholarship, study abroad, workforce training, and leadership development programs. IIE has a network of 17 offices and affiliates worldwide and over 1,450 member institutions.

For more information about the National Academy for International Education, click here.

About AAC&U

AAC&U is the leading national association dedicated to advancing the vitality and public standing of liberal education by making quality and equity the foundations for excellence in undergraduate education in service to democracy. Its members are committed to extending the advantages of a liberal education to all students, regardless of academic specialization or intended career. Founded in 1915, AAC&U now comprises more than 1,200 member institutions—including accredited public and private colleges, community colleges, research universities, and comprehensive universities of every type and size.

AAC&U functions as a catalyst and facilitator, forging links among presidents, administrators, faculty, and staff engaged in institutional and curricular planning. Through a broad range of activities, AAC&U reinforces the collective commitment to liberal education at the national, local, and global levels. Its high-quality programs, publications, research, meetings, institutes, public outreach efforts, and campus-based projects help individual institutions ensure that the quality of student learning is central to their work as they evolve to meet new economic and social challenges.