WMU welcomes new associate vice president of global education
KALAMAZOO – Following a nationwide search, Western Michigan University welcomed an experienced college administrator and international education expert to advance the University's commitment to global engagement.
Dr. Rosemary Max began her work July 14 as the new associate vice president of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education. Max brings more than two decades of leadership experience in international education and global engagement to Western.
She most recently served as the executive director of the Office of Global Engagement at Oakland University in Rochester, Michigan. Her career is complemented by 10 years of international development work with the United Nations.
"I am excited to join a university with such a long history of international engagement," says Max. "WMU has been committed to globalization for many decades. I look forward to working with the campus and community to make great strides over the coming years."
The Haenicke Institute for Global Education assists some 2,500 international students and alumni at home and abroad with immigration support, student success and post-graduation job training. It hosts more than 80 study abroad programs, taking students, faculty and staff to 30 countries, on average, each year.
Its units and programs include International Student and Scholar Services, the Center for English Language and Culture for International Students, International Partnerships, WMU Study Abroad, Asian Initiatives, Fulbright and External Scholarships and the Global Engagement Program.
“Dr. Max will lead HIGE’s efforts to expand global opportunities and support services for our students, faculty and staff,” says Dr. Chris Cheatham, interim provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are excited to work alongside her to advance WMU’s global engagement and continue building strong international connections that benefit our entire campus.”
At Oakland, Max led the university’s internationalization strategy, overseeing international student and scholar services, study abroad, the ESL institute and more. She developed and directed a joint institute in China and secured nearly $2.5 million in external grant funding. She guided a staff of 15 and managed a $1.3 million budget.
Max’s earlier roles at the University of Notre Dame, Loyola University Chicago, the University of Georgia and Michigan State University included oversight of international academic programs, global risk management, student and scholar services and institutional partnerships. She has spent more than a decade living and working overseas in France, Switzerland and Senegal. She is fluent in French and has a strong background in international relations and comparative education policy.
Max holds a Doctor of Education from Columbia University, with research focused on higher education reform in Senegal. She also has a master’s degree in international relations from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame. She continues to serve on several national and international boards and presents regularly on topics related to global engagement, higher education policy and international mobility.
About The Haenicke Institute for Global Education
The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western community. Its offices assist nearly 2,500 international students and alumni at home and abroad with immigration, student success and post-graduation job training.
The Institute also facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff. It hosts a variety of global learning activities, such as designing and promoting scholarship and academic opportunities on campus; providing K-12 outreach; hosting lectures, panels and events; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world. More at www.wmich.edu/global.
For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.