Vice President for Campus Life and Dean of Students Joshua McIntosh announced today that Darren R. Gallant, Assistant Director of Study Abroad at Brandeis University, will become the Associate Dean and Director of the Center for Global Education at Bates effective January 28, 2019.

“Darren is a highly regarded leader in the international education field with a proven ability to partner with faculty to design and implement curricular programs abroad, to establish institutional policies and practices that are more equitable and inclusive, and to advise students holistically,” said McIntosh. “His considerable experience will further inform and enrich the work of the Center for Global Education.”

“I am honored to join Bates’ nationally recognized program, supporting student learning and international education,” said Gallant. “In close collaboration with the Bates community, I am excited to help shape these efforts moving forward, augmenting opportunities for student learning and the faculty’s international pursuits.”

Gallant will oversee international student programs and, in the near future, will partner with students and the Associate Dean for International Student Programs, James Reese, to design more intentional programs to support the international student community. Gallant will also partner with the Off-Campus Study Committee to manage the college’s study abroad programs, the faculty-led Bates Fall Semester Abroad Programs, off-campus Short Term courses, and domestic off-campus study programs. With an early focus on strategic planning and mission development, Gallant will work with students, faculty, and staff to build on the Center for Global Education’s strong foundation.

In his most recent role at Brandeis managing the study abroad program, Gallant guided students through all aspects of their study abroad experience from application, enrollment, and financial aid processes to their post-study return and reflection. Identifying an opportunity to increase student engagement, he led a successful collaboration with faculty to refresh programming, enhancing overall student learning and strengthening the program’s ability to more effectively meet the needs of underrepresented students. Maintaining a commitment to student access, Gallant worked to optimize the program’s online portal. With growing expectations around student safety and wellbeing abroad, he created student and staff trainings on risk management and safety policies. Gallant also serves as a Deputy Title IX coordinator at the university.

Gallant has been deeply involved with NAFSA: Association of International Educators, acting as elected editor and author, and presenting at several national conferences. He has also committed himself to service with The Forum on Education Abroad, most recently serving on the search committee for The Forum’s new President and CEO. His engagement with these organizations has helped to solidify his presence in the international education field.

Gallant’s extensive work in higher education has consistently bolstered student academic success and personal development. Prior to his roles with Brandeis, Gallant’s work focused on student affairs and community engagement. As a Student Success Specialist at Wheelock College, he developed comprehensive academic and community programming to support transfer and first-year honor students. Similarly, as a Residence Life Coordinator and Academic Advising Counselor at Grinnell College, Gallant developed residence hall programming that supported academic achievement, community building, and faculty engagement.

Gallant earned a bachelor’s degree from Brandeis University, where he participated in the DIS—Study in Scandinavia program, and a master’s degree from New York University.

Gallant’s appointment at Bates follows a national search overseen by a committee comprised of students, faculty, and staff, co-chaired by McIntosh and Áslaug Ásgeirsdóttir, Professor of Politics and Associate Dean of the Faculty.

Gallant succeeds Assistant Director David Das, who has been serving as interim director of the Center for Global Education.

“David has done an incredible job as Interim Director of this dynamic and demanding program,” McIntosh noted. “He will continue to play a vital role as a leader in the office following Darren’s arrival in January.”