Dr. Laura Boudon joined Georgia State University in February 2020 as Director of Study Abroad Programs. In her role, she leads a team of six professional staff members supporting and advising students throughout the study abroad process, working with faculty across campus to develop GSU study abroad programs, engaging students with study abroad and managing student applications.  This academic year, she is participating in GSU’s Executive Leadership Academy for Women.    She was most recently Director of the Office of Study Abroad at Florida International University (FIU) in Miami, Florida for almost 5 years, leading FIU’s efforts to increase the number of FIU students who study abroad. She served as the campus representative for Boren scholarships and fellowships. She also served as a member of the MSI Summit planning committee for Diversity Abroad from 2016-2018. She participated in Elon University’s Center for Engaged Learning Research Seminar on Global Learning and Study abroad from 2015 to 2017. Laura led presentations at the Diversity Abroad conference and the NAFSA region VII conference and co-authored several recent book chapters with colleagues. Laura has almost twenty years of experience in higher education, having also worked at Georgetown University, American University and the University of South Carolina. Laura holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, a Master of Arts in International Affairs from the University of Miami, a Ph.D. in International Relations from Florida International University and a Master of Social Work from the University of South Carolina. Laura is a global citizen, having grown up in France and lived a year in Bogotá, Colombia, teaching English and conducting dissertation research. She loves to travel the world and photography.

Recent Presentations:

“Helping all students access the world: FIU’s work with students with disabilities.” Presentation at Diversity Abroad, Miami, FL, April 2018.

“Global Learning Experiences: Student Choice Patterns and Institutional Characteristics.” Presentation at WISE conference, Winston-Salem, NC, February 2018.

“Internationalization in Hispanic-serving institutions.” Presentation at Diversity Abroad’s MSI Summit, Minneapolis, MN, March 2017.

“Global Learning Experiences: Student Choice Patterns and Institutional Characteristics.” Presentation at NAFSA Region VII conference, New Orleans, LA, November 2016.

“Cuba in Context: Regulations and Realities for International Programs.” Presentation at NAFSA Region VII conference, New Orleans, LA, November 2016.