Dean of international programs at Montana State awarded competitive national fellowship

BOZEMAN - Sally Mudiamu, dean of Global Engagement and International Programs at Montana State University, has been selected for a highly competitive national fellowship recognizing emerging leaders in international higher education and supporting the expansion of global learning opportunities for students.

Mudiamu was named this fall as one of four Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA) Presidential Fellows for 2025-26, one of the organization's highest honors. The fellowship provides individualized mentorship and professional development designed to strengthen institutional leadership in international education.

"Sally's selection for this fellowship reflects her growing national stature as a leader in international education," said MSU Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost Bob Mokwa. "Just as importantly, it positions Montana State to expand high-impact global programs that strengthen student learning, research collaboration and workforce preparation while advancing our land-grant mission."

The three other fellowships were awarded to faculty at the University of Vermont, Gonzaga University and North Carolina State University.

While Mudiamu joined MSU about a year ago, her background in international education spans decades. Before becoming a Bobcat, she worked for 24 years as deputy executive director for international programs at Portland State University. She first became inspired to pursue this career path after studying abroad as an undergraduate student in Edinburgh, Scotland.

"This experience will bring opportunities to me that can benefit MSU students," Mudiamu said. "That could be in the form of being invited to co-author grants or to join a consortium of universities that do international work together and then get government funding. Overall, it will allow MSU to be more visible on Montana and national stages around global engagement."

Mudiamu added that her major focus area is advancing workforce readiness through international engagement. She plans to help MSU offer more courses, internships, and research experiences abroad in areas where there is student interest.

"It's going to make them more globally aware and engaged and more competitive in the job market. A great example is our newest Rhodes Scholar, Doriane Keiser, who had done two study abroad experiences ... I think global engagement definitely helps our students get more prestigious awards, fellowships and research opportunities."

Additionally, MSU can strategically partner with educational institutions or local governments in foreign countries where Montana hopes to grow its influence, she said. For example, forging relationships with entities in key U.S. trading partners Canada, Japan, Korea, Indonesia and Taiwan has helped build global investment in Montana while providing opportunities to MSU and international students, thus advancing the goal of the land-grant mission.

Relatedly, one planned idea to help all MSU students who seek a global engagement learning experience is to introduce a Collaborative Online International Learning program at MSU. In these types of programs, an academic class at MSU would partner with a similar academic class in another country to work together on a project of joint interest to both countries. Mudiamu will engage with faculty, students and other constituency groups on campus in fall 2026 to strategize how to incorporate this type of global opportunity into MSU's portfolio of international learning activities for students.

Montana State currently offers more than 250 study abroad programs in over 60 countries.

"MSU has built strong momentum in global engagement," Mudiamu said. "This fellowship provides an opportunity to build on that foundation and extend the reach of MSU's teaching, research and service well beyond our borders."