Rachel Fitzgerald recognized with Administrative and Professional Faculty Award

Rachel Fitzgerald  ’11, M.A. ’13, associate director of the Global Education Office, received the university’s Administrative and Professional Faculty Award earlier this month in recognition of her leadership, vision, and service to Virginia Tech’s global education efforts.

The nomination highlighted Fitzgerald’s role in advancing the provost’s goal to centralize administration of the university’s faculty-led study abroad programs, a significant transition involving partners and stakeholders across campus.

Theresa Johannson, director of the Global Education Office, said Fitzgerald was “invaluable to me in this transition, helping bring together stakeholders from across campus,” and praised her “clarity of vision and methodical planning.”

Fitzgerald also was recognized for creating professional development programs for teaching faculty, serving as a primary contributor to Virginia Tech’s successful effort to secure the APLU International Impact Award, and chairing the International Education Week Steering Committee.

In a letter of support, Guru Ghosh, vice president for outreach and international affairs, wrote that Fitzgerald “provides oversight, support, and guidance to an administrative portfolio that supports more than 1,000 students participating in faculty-led global programs, and she leads and mentors a diverse program management team with clarity, empathy, and unwavering professionalism.”

Together, the nomination materials described Fitzgerald as a thoughtful and effective leader whose work has strengthened faculty-led global programs and expanded support for students, faculty, and staff engaged in international education.