UNA NAMES NEW VICE PROVOST FOR INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

Jan. 14, 2009

FLORENCE, Ala. — The international program at the University of North Alabama will have new leadership this spring, when Dr. Chunsheng Zhang is tapped as vice provost for international affairs. He will join the UNA community no later than May 1.

Zhang, currently at the University of Oregon, has held the positions of special assistant to the president and provost for international affairs as well as vice provost for international affairs and outreach at Oregon. He has also served as associate vice president for academic affairs and international studies at St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, Minn., and as director of study abroad, coordinator of international recruitment and associate director of the international center at the University of Missouri-Columbia.

“I am honored and excited to join UNA, where history is in the making in academic excellence, international education and global engagement,” Zhang said. “I look forward to working with my UNA colleagues, students, alumni and friends to bring the world to UNA and to take UNA to the world.”

As vice provost for international affairs, Zhang will head a multifaceted and growing international program with opportunities for international students as well as study-abroad opportunities for domestic students.

“We are excited to bring in someone as experienced as Dr. Zhang in the field of international affairs, and we look forward to seeing him take this program to the next level,” said Dr. William G. Cale, UNA president.

UNA has had a growing international program for several years, enrolling about 900 foreign students in fall 2008 and providing study-abroad opportunities for about 140 students in the past two years. The university is also offering a more broad, globalized scope through its curriculum.

“We want every student at UNA to have the opportunity for a global education,” said Dr. Garry Warren, vice president for academic affairs and provost. “We have a quality international program in place. With Dr. Zhang’s leadership, we plan to see that program grow to even greater heights, providing more opportunities to more students.”

Zhang replaces Dr. Evan Ward as head of the international program.

PHOTO AVAILABLE: For a photo of Zhang, contact the Office of University Communications at 256-765-4225 or jlwoods1@una.edu.