Roger Brindley appointed vice provost for Global Programs at Penn State

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Roger N. Brindley, vice president for USF World at the University of South Florida, has been named vice provost for Global Programs at Penn State, effective April 6, 2020.

Brindley will oversee Penn State’s Office of Global Programs, which manages education abroad programs; hosts international students and scholars; and facilitates the University's many international partnerships around the world.

Brindley takes the helm from interim Vice Provost Robert Crane, who has served in the position since emeritus Vice Provost Michael Adewumi’s departure in January 2019.

“Roger Brindley has a proven track record in building strategic global experiences with countries all around the world," said Nick Jones, executive vice president and provost of the University. “He brings to Penn State a bold vision and passion for international engagement, which is central to the University’s mission, and he will enhance the impacts of current and future endeavors as the next leader of our Office of Global Programs.”

In his new role, Brindley will provide vision and dynamic leadership for Penn State’s comprehensive international strategy, work closely with the senior University academic and administrative leadership, and lead the development of the University’s strategic international agenda, including developing new initiatives and strategic partnerships. His responsibilities include securing external and internal funding to support international activities and programs and representing the University to external constituents worldwide.

“I am delighted to be joining Penn State,” said Brindley. “I have had the good fortune to work as a change agent for global education over the past decade and am looking forward to serving Penn State faculty, staff and students across the commonwealth in the years ahead.

“Penn State is a top 25 public university with a truly global footprint and is an academic community committed to continuously finding solutions to the grand challenges of the 21st century,” he added. “The opportunity to join a land-grant university deeply committed to extending its robust global presence is both compelling and exciting.”

Penn State continued its strong standing as one of the top 15 U.S. institutions hosting international students in 2018-19, according to the Institute of International Education’s 2019 Open Doors Report. With 9,396 students at the University Park campus, in addition to more at its campuses across the commonwealth, Penn State remains the number one receiving institution in Pennsylvania. The University also remains among the top 20 institutions in sending students abroad in the U.S., sending 2,320 University Park students, as well as several hundred more from its Commonwealth Campuses, in 2017-18.

“Penn State understands and values that leading institutions in U.S. higher education must build an increasingly global footprint,” said Brindley. “Not only do international students benefit from a truly world class education, but U.S. students challenge their perspectives of the world when part of a globally focused institution.

“Whether they are from State College or Stockholm, Allentown or Accra, students at Penn State will be prepared to contribute to communities globally. The fact that the University’s strategic goals speak specifically to issues of sustainability reflects a commitment to ensure all Penn State students understand their role in an increasingly interconnected world.”

Brindley has been vice president of USF World since 2016, overseeing system-wide global engagement for USF and international student success initiatives for almost 5,000 students from 147 countries and the 2,250 outgoing faculty, staff and students completing academic experiences abroad, while documenting the global footprint of over 1,200 USF faculty who conduct teaching, scholarship and research overseas.

At USF, from 2016-18 Brindley concurrently served as interim dean to the College of Education. Previously he was vice provost and USF System associate vice president of USF World from 2013-16; associate vice president, USF World, from 2009-13; and department chair of Childhood Education and Literacy Studies in the College of Education from 2006-09.

A USF professor for 23 years, Brindley received the Outstanding Undergraduate Teaching Award and the USF President's Award for Faculty Excellence, and he was identified as an Honored Professor by the National Society of Collegiate Scholars in 2001. He has written numerous articles in North American and European publications on policy and practice in higher education, has served as editor for three international journals, and frequently speaks at international conferences around the world. Between 2015-17, Brindley served as the APLU executive chair for the Commission on International Initiatives.

Brindley received a bachelor of arts with honors from Middlesex University in London; a master’s in education from Berry College in Rome, Georgia; and a doctorate in education from the University of Georgia, Athens.