ORCID

https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9546-9105

Date of Award

Summer 2025

Language

English

Embargo Period

7-28-2025

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

College/School/Department

Department of Educational Policy and Leadership

Program

Educational Policy and Leadership

First Advisor

Mitch Leventhal

Second Advisor

Gilbert Valverde

Committee Members

Harvey Charles, David Di Maria

Keywords

SIO Senior International Officer Profession

Subject Categories

Educational Leadership | Higher Education Administration | International and Comparative Education

Abstract

Internationalization of higher education institutions in the United States has progressed rapidly since World War II. The pace and specifics of this internationalization vary by institution. However, there are some shared characteristics including, but not limited to, increase in student mobility, both inward and outward, exchange of scholars, cross-border research, and internationalization of the curriculum. This increased the institutional administrative burden and necessitated the centralization of internationalization activities under a single administrative unit and led by an individual capable of providing leadership at their institution in the area of higher education internationalization. This individual is recognized as the Senior International Officer, or SIO, at their institution. Scholarly literature in higher education internationalization has recognized the growth of the SIO profession but an in-depth review of the development of the profession has hitherto been missing from academic literature. This study aims to bridge that gap.

This dissertation uses a phenomenological research design and a qualitative approach to study the sociological development of the SIO profession in US higher education. Primary data collection was conducted through 18 semi-structured interviews of current and past SIOs. Qualitative thematic analysis was conducted to identify recurring themes in the interview data.

Analysis indicated that the SIOs have taken significant steps to grow and elevate their profession. They have engaged in formal knowledge generation through the development of academic credentials, formalization of professional standards, advocacy and development of professional associations. Findings indicate that SIOs are forced to adopt a reactive posture in response to the institutional leadership priorities and forces external to higher education such as the compliance with the federal regulations. Such influences have significant impact on SIOs ability to lead internationalization at their institution.

Comments

International Education Management in US Higher Education

Senior International Officer (SIO)

License

This work is licensed under the University at Albany Standard Author Agreement.

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