Resignation

It was four years ago, though it seems like yesterday, that I assumed my duties as Director of International Education at Georgia Tech.  It has been an exciting time to be at Georgia Tech with many new initiatives such as the International Plan and the I-House successfully launched and many enhancements to what we do in the Office of International Education – new study abroad programs and opportunities and new programs for international students and scholars.  And Georgia Tech has been rewarded with both local and national recognition for our efforts in the international arena – as so clearly demonstrated in this issue of the Global Agenda.  I am not sure that everyone is aware of how much Georgia Tech is on the center stage in international education.  We are highly regarded as one of the top innovators and leaders in international education not just nationally but world-wide.

And, we have impacted Georgia Tech students who have benefited already or will benefit in the future from the many existing and new international programs offered to them by Georgia Tech.  Lives have been changed by Georgia Tech’s efforts in international education and it is gratifying to have played a role in this process of change.

I know that those of you involved in Georgia Tech’s international initiatives will agree that the last four years have been exciting and fulfilling, if sometimes exhausting, ones.  They have certainly been the most enjoyable four years of my career in international education.  I am grateful to Georgia Tech for giving me this opportunity and to all of you who have made these four years so exciting and productive.

But, as Chaucer said so many centuries ago, “All good things must come to an end …” and so it is with my leadership of international education at Georgia Tech.  As many of you already know, effective June 30, I am resigning my position as Associate Vice Provost of International Programs to assume my full time appointment as Professor of Psychology.

I have always sought out opportunities to tackle new and complex challenges and Georgia Tech’s internationalization efforts have certainly kept me energized over the past 4 years.  However the Provost’s recent reorganization was a stimulus to contemplate whether it might be best to return to my origins as a faculty member in psychology.  Much of my 39 year career has been devoted to teaching, research and leadership within psychology.  Now seems the right time to return to this most enjoyable role.  I have always considered myself first and foremost to be a member of the faculty and so it gives me great pleasure to return to this role now.   Who knows, I might even launch a few study abroad initiatives of my own!

Of course, I will also cherish this four years as the leader of international education at Georgia Tech for the many new acquaintances, colleagues and friends I have come to know.  Georgia Tech is a special place not because of the entrepreneurship, which is certainly present, but because of the collegiality of everyone.  I look forward to continuing to enjoy this collegiality as a member of the faculty.

Bon Voyage.

For suggestions or questions, please do not hesitate to contact me, Howard Rollins at 404-894-7477 or howard.rollins@oie.gatech.edu.