Ohio University launches School of International Studies and Languages with global celebration

Ohio University marked a historic milestone this fall with the launch of the new School of International Studies and Languages (SISAL), a bold step forward in the University’s commitment to international education, cross-cultural understanding, and global workforce readiness.

“The launch of SISAL represents the University’s significant investment in global education,” said Haley Duschinski, founder and director of the School of International Studies and Languages. “It signals the University’s recognition that international education is essential to OHIO’s future — preparing students to lead in a rapidly changing world and strengthening our role as a globally engaged institution.”

SISAL unites four internationally focused units in the College of Arts and Sciences: the Center for International Studies (CIS), the Department of Linguistics (LING), the Department of Modern Languages (MODL), and the Ohio Program of Intensive English (OPIE). Together, they form a dynamic academic hub rooted in language learning, international research, and real-world engagement.

Within the new school, each program maintains its own identity and integrity, while contributing to a collective vision for global excellence at OHIO.

“I’m grateful to Dr. Duschinski and to the faculty and alumni leaders who crafted and acted on a compelling vision to bring these four units together in a way that will be even greater than the sum of the parts,” College of Arts and Sciences Dean Matthew Ando said.

One key aspect of SISAL is its focus on global workforce development. The school will provide Ohio University students from all majors and backgrounds with opportunities for international internships, international alumni engagements, and hands-on global learning experiences.

The new school also unites OHIO’s language programs in the four units under one organization. This change will allow for new opportunities for collaboration and create new educational opportunities for OHIO students. Ohio University offers a wide range of language programs, including many that are not taught at any other public universities in Ohio.

In addition, Ohio University works with partners across the world, in such as Chubu University in Japan, University of Cape Coast in Ghana, and Gawande College in India, to provide learning, work and research opportunities for students and faculty, and this new school will allow the University to grow and strengthen these partnerships in the years ahead.

SISAL advances the goals of Ohio University’s Dynamic Strategy by expanding global learning opportunities, deepening research partnerships, and preparing students to thrive in globalized workforce environments in the state of Ohio and beyond.

A community celebration

Ohio University celebrated the opening of the new school at the SISAL Dinner, held at the newly renovated Athens Armory. Ohio University has as proud history as a leader in international education programs, and the new School is another step forward in providing OHIO students with important educational opportunities.

“The School of International Studies and Languages advances Ohio University’s mission to prepare students for leadership in a global society,” President Lori Stewart Gonzalez said at the SISAL Dinner. “It will strengthen our partnerships, expand our research, and ensure that every Bobcat has access to meaningful global opportunities.”

Ohio University’s Dynamic Strategy calls for increasing and enhancing experiential learning opportunities for OHIO students, and SISAL will play a key role in this work.

Also during the SISAL Dinner, President Gonzalez also announced a $50,000 investment from the President’s Circle Fund to support global learning experiences for SISAL students.

“This investment will allow our students to take part in transformative experiences across the globe,” Gonzalez said. “We are preparing our students to lead with purpose, to innovate boldly, and to make an impact that extends far beyond Athens.”

The funding will support the new SISAL International Internship Program, which will provide OHIO students with hands-on professional experience in global settings, connecting them with international organizations, alumni mentors, and community partners around the world.

This initiative aligns with the university’s Dynamic Strategy by expanding access to experiential learning and preparing students with the global skills and professional competencies needed for success across industry sectors.

Forever Global, Forever OHIO: Building the Next Generation of Global Leaders in the Heart of America

The celebration featured a keynote lecture by Dr. Ariel Armony, distinguished OHIO alumnus and current provost and executive vice president of Babson College, a national leader in business and entrepreneurship.

A native of Argentina, Armony first came to Ohio University with his wife, Mirna Kolbowski, to pursue a master’s degree at the Center for International Studies—now a part of SISAL. He went on to earn a PhD at the University of Pittsburgh and rose through academic leadership roles to become vice chancellor for global affairs at the University of Pittsburgh, where he positioned the university among the top five in the country for global education.

In his keynote, “Forever Global, Forever OHIO: Building the Next Generation of Global Leaders in the Heart of America,” Armony reflected on his own beginnings as an international student in Athens and on the transformative role of international education in preparing graduates for today’s complex workforce.

“Education at OHIO gave me not a collection of answers, but a way of asking better questions,” Armony said. “From here, in this community, I learned to connect ideas, to see the world as a set of relationships, and to believe that what starts in the classroom can ripple across communities, policies, and lives around the world.”

He underscored that higher education must prepare students not just with technical expertise, but with adaptability, interdisciplinary thinking, ethical grounding, and global fluency—the very skills at the heart of SISAL’s mission.

“Talent is the currency of the future,” Armony emphasized. “And talent isn’t simply about having technical skills. It’s about imagination, empathy, courage, and the global fluency to connect. This is precisely what SISAL represents: an investment in people, in students, and in the communities that will benefit from the ideas generated here.”

Alumni Luncheon and Dialogue

Another highlight of the launch was the Alumni Luncheon and Dialogue, where three distinguished alumni reflected on how their OHIO education shaped their careers and contributions to the world:

• Ed Chow (’72, ’73), a leading global energy expert and philanthropist, spoke about the importance of preparing students to meet the challenges of an interconnected workforce. His visionary support recently established the International Studies Alumni Fund for Graduate Student Support, ensuring future generations of students have access to resources and opportunities.

  "During the SISAL launch, it was amazing to meet different generations of OHIO graduates who benefited from international studies at the university in preparing them for successful international careers. My own journey of working in more than sixty countries started in Athens. I applaud the University's rededication to its mission of educating students from around Ohio, the country, and the globe to thrive in an internationally connected and competitive world by investing in the new school," Chow said.

• Mirna Kolbowski (MA Latin American Studies, ’82), a leader in global finance and global education, shared how her OHIO degree launched her international career and continues to guide her work strengthening networks of scholars and practitioners engaged with Latin America.
• Sumeeta Gawande (’94), an Athens native and strategic advisor for Gopikabai Sitaram Gawande College in India, emphasized the long-term value of sustained partnerships. She has been instrumental in building opportunities for cross-cultural learning and collaboration through the OHIO–Gawande College partnership.

Throughout the celebration, additional alumni also contributed insights and encouragement, including Richard Snelsire, Susann Haase, David and Judi Crane, Hylie Voss, Teri and David Marlow, Viktor Lavrenyuk, Hassan Nash and Kaitlyn Camp, and Brandon Saraniti – among many others. Together, they underscored the breadth of OHIO’s international alumni network and its enduring impact around the world.

“Our alumni are living proof of the power of international education,” said Duschinski. “Their careers show how skills in language, cultural fluency, and global vision open doors across industries and communities.”

Gawande Celebration

The SISAL Launch also featured a special Gawande Celebration event, honoring the extraordinary generosity and vision of the Gawande family and celebrating the decades-long partnership between Ohio University and Gawande College in Umarkhed, India.

The panel showcased the impact of this unique collaboration through personal stories of professional development, research, internships, and study abroad experiences. Faculty members Pronoy Rai, Haley Duschinski, Matthew Rosen, Yegan Pillay, and Greg Kessler reflected on how the partnership has shaped their teaching, research, and community engagement, while also highlighting opportunities for future collaboration.

OHIO was also honored to welcome Meeta Gawande, who offered heartfelt closing remarks about the enduring relationship between OHIO and Gawande College.

The panel concluded with a networking reception in the 1804 Lounge, where faculty, students, alumni, and community members connected informally and explored new possibilities for engagement through this global partnership.

Language and culture engagement

Students also brought their voices and traditions to the launch through interactive cultural events. The Global Tea Gathering, featuring student organizations representing 17 different cultures, drew a large crowd of students, faculty, and community members. Guests enjoyed teas from around the world while learning about the cultural traditions connected to each one.

The celebration also featured a Thai fruit carving demonstration, where a skilled student artist crafted an intricate fruit centerpiece for the SISAL Launch Dinner. The carved arrangement—featuring blossoms, leaves, and symbolic motifs—became a stunning centerpiece that reflected both the artistry and cultural pride of OHIO’s Thai students.

Global Halal Cooking Demonstration

The celebration featured a Global Halal Cooking Demonstration by alumna Yvonne Maffei (OHIO BA Latin American Studies, ’97; OHIO MA International Development Studies, ’00). A pioneer in the global halal food industry, Maffei is the founder of My Halal Kitchen & Marketplace, a leading platform connecting artisanal halal producers with global consumers.

An international culinary and cultural strategist, she works at the intersection of the global halal economy, sustainable trade, and diplomacy, advising organizations, consulates, and businesses on the use of food as a tool for trust-building, cooperation, and prosperity. Through her writing, recipe development, and culinary training, she has become a leading voice in advancing food security, sustainability, and cultural diplomacy worldwide.

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In her demonstration at the Patton Kitchen, Maffei prepared traditional recipes while sharing stories of how food can bridge cultures and create new opportunities for economic and social cooperation.

“At OHIO, I learned that food is far more than nourishment,” said Maffei. “It’s a language of diplomacy and connection that can bridge cultures, build trust, and open doors to global cooperation.”

Her work exemplifies the kind of global fluency and cross-cultural impact that SISAL aims to cultivate in students—leaders who can use their talents and training to connect communities across borders and industries.

Looking ahead

The launch of SISAL signals an exciting new chapter for Ohio University, one that builds on the excellence of international studies and languages while expanding opportunities for students, faculty and alumni.

“SISAL elevates international education at OHIO,” Duschinski said. “It reflects the transformative power of language, culture and global experience to shape who our students become — and how they engage with the world. This is how we prepare the next generation of leaders to think critically, act ethically, and connect globally."

Ando said that the school will build on OHIO’s proud legacy of international education.

“Sixty years ago, the creation of the Center for International Studies set OHIO on a course for global impact,” said Ando. “I am excited to see what SISAL will enable our faculty, students, and alumni to accomplish over the next 60 years.”

As the SISAL community looks ahead, the School stands as a vital resource for preparing OHIO students with the linguistic, cultural, and global competencies needed to thrive professionally, ethically, and intellectually in an interconnected world.