Texas A&M University has announced the appointment by President Michael K. Young of Vice Provost Michael Benedik as the university’s Chief International Officer.
The charge of the Chief International Officer is to develop a bold, unified and sustainable global strategy for Texas A&M University, work to expand international research, increase student engagement in universal opportunities and strengthen university international infrastructure, while developing and deepening strategic partnerships, officials said.
“Texas A&M has a robust presence in international outreach, from programs and initiatives on campus in transformational learning, discovery and innovation to real impact around the world. Ensuring that our university is collaborating across campus and with partners in other countries is one of our top priorities,” says Texas A&M University President Michael K. Young. “Vice Provost Benedik will coordinate with senior leadership to advance the strategic international goals of the campus.”
“I am pleased that Vice Provost Benedik has taken on this vital role in the development of Texas A&M as an internationally recognized research institution,” says Carol Fierke, provost and executive vice president. “He will undoubtedly enhance opportunities for continued and more robust international engagement for our university.”
Benedik, who has held Texas A&M’s second-highest academic administrative position for almost three years, will work to enhance opportunities and address barriers associated with faculty engagement in international research, teaching, outreach and business partnerships, as well as for student and faculty participation in study abroad programs. He will provide leadership and work in collaboration with deans to facilitate international undergraduate research, service-learning opportunities, and other transformational learning experiences with international dimensions. He will collaborate with academic units across campus to grow opportunities for students to be placed internationally.
“Texas A&M has a remarkable global footprint and my role is to increase the visibility of our global initiatives and successes and to assist the faculty, colleges and departments to bring their initiatives to fruition, as well as to explore new opportunities for the university at large,” Benedik says.
In addition to coordinating with campus members, he will represent the mission of Texas A&M abroad to identify, evaluate and prioritize collaborative endeavors with international partners.
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Media contact: Kelly Brown at kelly.brown@tamu.edu or 979-845-1264
