RU Names International Education Director

Dr. Lisa Childress has been named director of the International Education Center at Radford University.

Childress comes to RU from LKC Internationalization Consulting, where she worked with universities to institute programs throughout their curriculum that engage faculty in international teaching and research to develop globally competent students. Childress has also worked at the Duke University School of Law and U.Va.'s Darden School of Business, where she helped internationalize programs on campus and overseas and served as an international career consultant. She also taught English in Japan for two years through the Japanese Ministry of Education.

"RU is comprised of highly-dedicated educators and leaders committed to developing globally competent students and there is an abundance of opportunities here already,” she said.  "I look forward to exploring and developing the relationships that will weave that ethos through every fabric of the community."

The International Education Center assists RU students pursuing study abroad, facilitates on-campus international programs and assists international students and faculty with immigration and naturalization needs.

"Study-abroad and other international education programs are critical to preparing well-rounded and liberally educated citizens. For many students, international experiences are truly transformational," said RU Provost Sam Minner.  "At an instrumental level, international education provides our students with competitive advantages in a global economy and an interconnected world. I am so happy Dr. Childress is with us and I look forward to working with her to advance international education on the RU campus."

Childress has an Ed.D. in higher education administration from George Washington University, a master's in administrative planning and social policy from Harvard University, and her undergraduate degree is from U.Va. in rhetoric and communication studies.

Radford University is a comprehensive public university of more than 9,900 students. RU serves the Commonwealth of Virginia and the nation through a wide range of academic, cultural, human service, and research programs. Well known for its strong faculty/student bonds, innovative use of technology in the learning environment and vibrant student life on a beautiful 191-acre American classical campus, Radford University offers students many opportunities to get involved and succeed in and out of the classroom. The university offers 69 degree programs at the undergraduate level, and 21 master's programs and three doctoral programs at the graduate level. A Division I member of the NCAA and Big South Athletic Conference, Radford participates in 19 varsity sports—11 for women and eight for men. Since 2005, the university has secured approval and funding for nearly $300 million in capital projects, including both new construction and renovation.

Learn more about Radford University at www.radford.edu