Memo from the Provost announcing the appointment of Gil Latz as vice provost for global strategies and international affairs

From the Provost — August 21, 2018

Latz to lead Office of International Affairs

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to share the news that Gil Latz, PhD, has accepted my offer to serve as vice provost for global strategies and international affairs within the Office of Academic Affairs. Subject to approval by the Board of Trustees, his appointment is effective on January 1, 2019, through December 31, 2023.

Since 2012, Dr. Latz has served as associate vice president for international affairs at Indiana University, a philanthropic studies affiliated faculty member at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy and professor of geography and associate vice chancellor for international affairs at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. He is a world-recognized expert on curricular internationalization, including the intersection of internationalization, diversity and community engagement.

In addition, Dr. Latz has had long-standing research interests in Japan's modernization process, beginning with the agricultural sector and, most recently, study of philanthropy and civic leadership. His secondary research interests include international trade and the conservation of cultural landscapes in East Asia, North America and Europe. He is author or co-author of nine books, several book chapters and articles published in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at professional meetings and conferences.

He has taught students at all levels, including courses on Trans-Pacific Leadership, Culture and Philanthropy, Geography of Japan, Geography of China, Geography of East Asia, Geography of Pacific Asia, Pacific Rim Trade, Political Geography, Developing World, Developed World, World Regional Geography, History of Ideas in Geography and Distance Education related to these courses.

Dr. Latz's national leadership includes service as senior associate for internationalization, Center for Internationalization and Global Engagement, American Council on Education; and editorial board appointments to the Japan and Global Society Series, Toronto Press, and Global Environment: Journal of History and Natural and Social Sciences. In addition, from 2015 to the present, he served as president elect, president and past president of the Association of International Education Administrators.

Among his many honors, Texas Tech University selected him as an inaugural external recipient of a 2018 Global Vision Award, and the Confucius Institute in Indianapolis honored him as the 2018 Board Member of the Year Award.

Dr. Latz earned a BA in religion and English Literature from Occidental College, Los Angeles and an MA and PhD in geography from the University of Chicago.

Please join me in welcoming Gil to our academic community. I look forward to working with him on our ambitious agenda.

As you know, Dr. Gifty Ako-Adounvo assumed the leadership responsibilities of the Office of International Affairs while we conducted a national search for the new vice provost. Please join me in thanking Gifty for her stellar service and leadership at Ohio State and in congratulating her on her new role as the inaugural vice provost for global initiatives at The University of Rhode Island.

Effective September 1st, Vice Provost for Academic Programs W. Randy Smith will coordinate duties in the Office of International Affairs until Gil Latz arrives on campus January 1st. Randy's portfolio and expertise provide a backdrop to cover these leadership duties.

Sincerely,

Bruce A. McPheron, PhD
Executive Vice President and Provost

Office of International Affairs