The Office of International Affairs (OIA) has appointed Professor Stephen Wooten as its new Associate Vice Provost and Director of Study Abroad.
 
Jointly appointed since 2001 to the Departments of International Studies and Anthropology, Wooten brings a wide range of prior research, administrative and programmatic experience to his new role in OIA.
 
Wooten, who has served for the last five months as Interim Director of Study Abroad, has conducted extensive research in rural, developing country settings. He has served as Associate Director in two Title VI National Resource Centers at highly ranked research universities (Illinois and UCLA). Wooten is also the recipient of two Fulbright research awards.
 
“Professor Wooten brings to this position the distinct skills, creativity, and energy that OIA and Study Abroad need at this unique juncture for UO,” says Vice Provost for International Affairs Dennis Galvan. “This is a moment when OIA and Study Abroad have an unprecedented opportunity to lead a considerable expansion in international education experiences for our students, providing access to families of modest means, majors formerly deemed too crowded with requirements, and students not yet attuned to global education.”
 
In the coming years, OIA will aim to expand its reach and enhance its current Study Abroad programs. OIA and Study Abroad offer UO students access to 190 study and research programs, and 150 internships worldwide.
 
“I am delighted to have the opportunity to play a role in the ongoing internationalization process on campus,” says Wooten. “Specifically, I am excited to help expand our already strong Study Abroad programs. My Study Abroad colleagues and I will work diligently and creatively with faculty members to increase access to life changing education abroad experiences for all of our students.”
 
Beginning in early January, Professor Wooten will set out on a "listening tour" that brings him to faculty meetings of key departmental partner units, one-on-one meetings with key faculty colleagues and with all of the staff in the Study Abroad unit.