KU News Release

Senior vice provost names two to interim leadership in international programs

LAWRENCE — Associate Dean Thomas Heilke and Assistant Dean Hodgie Bricke have been named interim associate vice provosts for international programs at the University of Kansas effective July 1, Senior Vice Provost Kathleen McCluskey-Fawcett announced today.

A search for a permanent associate vice provost will begin at the start of the fall semester. The position was created by a restructuring of the Graduate School and the Office of International Programs in April. International programs, which includes the Office of Study Abroad, the Applied English Center and International Student and Scholar Services, will be led by the associate vice provosts, who will report directly to McCluskey-Fawcett.

During the interim period, Heilke will oversee faculty development and Bricke will oversee program development.

Heilke, a professor of political science, has been associate dean of international programs since 2003. He holds a doctorate from Duke University and studied at the Freie Universitaet Berlin and the Kirchliche Hochschule in Berlin. He has twice directed study abroad programs in several countries in Europe.

Bricke, assistant dean for international programs, has been with KU’s international programs office since 1989. She coordinates direct exchanges for graduate students between KU and 10 partner universities and serves as the campus coordinator for the student Fulbright competition. Bricke was selected to participate in the Fulbright program for U.S. international education administrators to Germany in 1993 and to Japan in 2000.

KU international programs are often cited for their quality. In March, KU’s Global Awareness Program received the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators award for Best Practices in International Programming. KU also ranked eighth in the nation in the recent “Open Doors Report,” a survey of international education among public research universities, based on the percentage of students who study abroad. KU was one of five universities selected for the 2005 Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization. Historically, 394 KU students and 277 KU faculty have won Fulbright awards for international study.

Susan Gronbeck-Tedesco, director of the Office of Study Abroad, was initially named to the interim post but later declined in order to stay focused on study abroad in light of rapidly expanding opportunities created by federal initiatives and the university’s goal to increase emphasis on study abroad.

“We understand Susan’s decision and are fortunate to have individuals with Thomas and Hodgie’s leadership and experience to step in,” McCluskey-Fawcett said. “Both have demonstrated long-term commitment to excellence and expanding the quality and reach of KU international programs.”

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