BOONE, N.C. — Appalachian State University’s Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa, associate vice chancellor of international education and development, director of international research and development and a professor of public administration in the university’s Department of Government and Justice Studies, has been selected as a founding member of the American Academy of International Education. He joins a team of approximately 20 other founding members.

Established by the Institute of International Education (IIE), the American Academy of International Education will serve as a think tank, enabling its members to pool their experience, wisdom and vision to advance the field of international education and make it “a profoundly positive force in an increasingly interconnected world,” according to IIE.

“Jesse’s decadeslong experience and commitment to advancing the field of international education will serve the academy, and all of its constituents, exceptionally well,” said Dr. Heather Norris, interim provost and executive vice chancellor at App State.

“I am really humbled by the trust that my peers have expressed in me and honored to be selected as part of the academy. I look forward to working tirelessly with other members to achieve the vision and mission for which the academy has been established,” Lutabingwa said.

The academy’s members were selected by a planning team of senior international officers at U.S. universities, based on the following criteria:

• Commitment to core values of the academy.
• Demonstrated leadership in international education and/or intersecting fields.
• The ability to make a significant contribution to the academy’s mission and activities.
• Intellectual depth and curiosity.

About Dr. Jesse Lutabingwa

Lutabingwa has more than 30 years of experience in international education and development. As part of his work designed to make a difference in people’s lives, he has been involved in numerous programs around the world, especially in developing countries.

He holds a Ph.D. in public administration, a master’s degree in international development management and a bachelor’s degree in business administration and economics with a minor in political science.

Lutabingwa has conducted research on local government and traditional leadership in South Africa, the decentralization of local government in Albania and South Africa, and African nongovernmental organizations and their role in public policy advocacy.

He is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and has served in various leadership capacities within the association, both at the national and regional levels. He is also a member of the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA).

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Global Learning at Appalachian

It’s not enough to be globally aware. Appalachian graduates must be globally competent.

National surveys indicate that high school seniors and their families — as well as employers — expect college graduates to develop an increased global awareness and/or competency, as they will likely encounter coworkers, clients and neighbors from different cultures in their professions. Appalachian has adopted Global Learning for its Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), an important component of our accreditation.

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Office of International Education and Development

The OIED is responsible for spearheading the internationalization efforts at Appalachian. The internationalization mission of Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The university is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society.

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About the Office of International Programs

Appalachian State University combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive and integrated commitment to global engagement. The Office of International Programs assists App State in fulfilling its global engagement mission by working to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation and respect of cultural differences — in both domestic and international contexts — in the university’s students, faculty and staff, as well as in the surrounding communities. Learn more at https://international.appstate.edu.

About the Department of Government and Justice Studies

Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies offers undergraduate programs in political science and criminal justice, and graduate programs in political science and public administration. Housed in the College of Arts and Sciences, the department has over 600 undergraduate majors and more than 70 graduate students. Learn more at https://gjs.appstate.edu.

About the College of Arts and Sciences

The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) at Appalachian State University is home to 17 academic departments, two centers and one residential college. These units span the humanities and the social, mathematical and natural sciences. CAS aims to develop a distinctive identity built upon our university's strengths, traditions and locations. The college’s values lie not only in service to the university and local community, but through inspiring, training, educating and sustaining the development of its students as global citizens. More than 6,800 student majors are enrolled in the college. As the college is also largely responsible for implementing App State’s general education curriculum, it is heavily involved in the education of all students at the university, including those pursuing majors in other colleges. Learn more at https://cas.appstate.edu.

About Appalachian State University

As a premier public institution, Appalachian State University prepares students to lead purposeful lives. App State is one of 17 campuses in the University of North Carolina System, with a national reputation for innovative teaching and opening access to a high-quality, cost-effective education. The university enrolls more than 21,000 students, has a low student-to-faculty ratio and offers more than 150 undergraduate and 80 graduate majors at its Boone and Hickory campuses and through App State Online. Learn more at https://www.appstate.edu.