Weiner to Exit Global Affairs Leadership After 14 Years

Colleagues,

We are writing to share several updates regarding the Office of Global Affairs.

Following 14 years of leadership as Vice President for Global Affairs, Dan Weiner has decided to transition from his administrative role and return to the faculty. We would like to take this opportunity to recognize his many contributions to the University and share plans for the future leadership and organization of Global Affairs.

Hired as vice provost and appointed vice president in 2015, Dan has played a central role in shaping Global Affairs and advancing UConn's international engagement. Under his leadership, Global Affairs grew into an essential part of the University's academic and research enterprise, helping connect UConn students, faculty, staff, and partners with opportunities around the world.

The impact of that work can be seen across the University today. Last year alone, UConn hosted more than 3,000 international students and visiting scholars, a reflection of the vibrant global community that enriches our campuses. A record 1,022 UConn students studied abroad in more than 40 countries, and the University now maintains more over 170 institutional partnerships across 56 countries. These connections expand opportunities for learning, research, and collaboration to prepare our students to become global citizens and enable our faculty and staff to become thought leaders across the world.

Just as importantly, Global Affairs has become a critical source of support for the University's international community. Through its work with international students, visiting scholars, faculty, and staff, the office has helped ensure that UConn remains a welcoming and globally connected institution. Dan's leadership, together with the contributions of Associate Vice President for Global Affairs Ngozi Taffe and the entire Global Affairs team, has been instrumental in building that foundation.

We are grateful for Dan's leadership, and his many contributions to the University. We are fortunate that he will remain a member of the UConn community, as he returns to the faculty. He plans to focus on his scholarship and continue advancing the Abrahamic Programs Initiative, in addition to co-directing the new Laboratory for the Study and Prevention of Global Antisemitism at UConn.

We are pleased to announce that Ngozi has agreed to serve as interim vice president for global affairs effective August 23.

Ngozi brings extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to advancing UConn's global mission. In her current role as associate vice president for global affairs, she has played a pivotal role in shaping the University's international strategy, expanding global partnerships, strengthening international research collaborations, and enhancing opportunities for student and faculty engagement around the world.

As interim vice president, Ngozi will provide strategic leadership for the Office of Global Affairs, overseeing UConn's global initiatives, international partnerships, mobility programs, and efforts to advance the University's international reputation and impact. She will continue to champion innovative approaches to global learning, research, and engagement.

Prior to joining UConn in 2014, Ngozi spent nearly 20 years working in the private and aerospace sectors managing large-scale programs and international operations. She is a three-time UConn graduate, having earned her Bachelor of Science, MBA, and Ph.D. at UConn. During her tenure at UConn, she spearheaded several enterprise system implementations and launched the Tuition Model Program, which gives our students leverage in studying abroad through our UConn signature semester programs.

As part of this transition, Global Affairs will become part of the Division of Academic Affairs, and Ngozi will report directly to the provost, while continuing Global Affairs representation on the president's senior leadership team.

This change recognizes the close connection between the work of Global Affairs and the University's academic mission.