2019-2020 Annual Report
![Campanile in foreground with Mount Oread in background](https://cdn.statically.io/img/international.ku.edu/sites/international/files/styles/16_9_placeholder_/public/images/2021/AnnualReportCoverResized_0.jpg?h=44ff73cc&itok=Vcp1qD7c)
Message from the Associate Vice Provost
Throughout the pandemic, KUIA units and our partners across campus chose a forward path of innovation rather than a make-do approach. That has made all the difference.
The work KU’s team of international educators has done has been nothing short of transformative for the university as a whole. KU faculty and staff have risen and continue to rise to the many challenges and have shown ingenuity, dedication, resilience and passion for what they do. In their work, they have proven just how central internationalization is to our world-class university and they have inspired our entire community of Jayhawks.
![Bill Keel with study abroad students near Neuschwanstein Castle in Bavaria](/sites/international/files/images/2021/KeelGermanyResized.jpg)
Promoting and Preserving German
Bill Keel, who retired as professor of German in 2019, left a legacy of work that has been equal parts promoting and preserving the German language as he fostered a Sister City relationship and traveled throughout Kansas and Missouri to record the fading German dialects.
Article on Bill Keel![Mary Klayder in Costa Rica](/sites/international/files/images/2021/KlayderImageResize.jpg)
Professor leads 50+ study abroad trips
In March 2020, Mary Klayder led her 53rd study abroad program, providing transformative experiences for more than 1,100 students who have traveled with her on programs centered in London, Great Britain and Costa Rica.
Article on Mary KlayderStudy Abroad
![Antonia Bignotti in front of camera](/sites/international/files/images/2021/AntoniaBignottiResized.jpg)
Student Virtually Travels Through Online Internship
![Cierra Kahrs in Singapore](/sites/international/files/images/2021/CierraKahrsResized_0.png)
Increasing Access to Study Abroad
Study Abroad in 2019-2020
Study Abroad 2
Faculty and Student Awards
![Virginia Harper Ho](/sites/international/files/images/2021/VirginiaHarperHoResized_0.jpg)
Student Spotlight
![Emilia Paz Ojeda standing by Jayhawk](/sites/international/files/images/2021/EmiliaPazResize.jpg)
Emilia Paz Ojeda
Emilia Paz Ojeda, a computer science graduate from Peru, was surprised by the number of other international students on campus. She now works for Google and says her international education will be integral in communicating with colleagues.![Brooke Lapke traveling abroad](/sites/international/files/images/2021/LapkeRevise.jpg)
Brooke Lapke
Brooke Lapke, a microbiology graduate who is now a KU School of Medicine student, says that international education changed her perspective on medicine.![Mika Schrader traveling abroad](/sites/international/files/images/2021/Mika.jpg)
Mika Schrader
For Mika Schrader, a history and religious studies graduate, two study abroad experiences opened doors and opportunities that she didn't even know existed.![World map with countries with international students highlighted](/sites/international/files/images/2021/WorldMapStudents2019.jpg)
Students from Around the World
In Fall 2019, more than 2,000 international students enrolled at KU’s Lawrence campus from more than 100 countries. The map highlights international students’ home countries, with darker shades indicating the countries with more students.
KU International Students 2019-2020
KU International Student 2
![Chuck Olcese](/sites/international/files/images/2021/Olcese_Charles_Resized.png)
Olcese retires after 35 years
Olcese retired in May after nearly eight years as director of International Student Services and almost two decades of advocating for international education in Kansas. Throughout his career, Olcese has been a local, regional and national leader in international education.
Read Article on Chuck Olcese![Photo of Ali Soltanshahi](/sites/international/files/images/2021/AliResized_1.jpg)
Soltanshahi Named ISS Director
KU International Affairs is delighted to welcome Ali Soltanshahi to the Jayhawk family as its International Support Services director. Serving in the field of international education since 2001, Soltanshahi worked at four higher education institutions before coming to KU.
Article on SoltanshahiKUIA Kudos
Recognition of KUIA staff and faculty achievements.
![Summer Peixoto in Brazil](/sites/international/files/images/2021/Peixoto.jpg)