University of Redlands
Courtesy photo/Leo Rowland and Dr. Mary Dwyer. IES Abroad recently honored Leo Rowland, director of study abroad at the University of Redlands, 2018 IES Abroad Volunteer of the Year.
The award recognizes an individual who has supported and strengthened the mission of the study abroad field through extraordinary volunteer efforts. Awardees are determined by their involvement in and leadership of the various organizations that serve the study abroad field, including IES Abroad and its various committees and councils. The award also recognizes and thanks the award recipient’s school for providing the opportunity for the individual to serve in various capacities.
Rowland received his B.A. in political science from Brown University and his M.F.A. in creative writing from California State University, Fresno. He has dedicated more than 14 years to the field of international education. Since 2015, he has been the director of study abroad at the University of Redlands. Prior to his current role, Rowland lived in Argentina and held faculty and administrative positions at National University of San Martin/Lincoln University College and later served as academic director and faculty member at the IES Abroad Buenos Aires Center.
Additionally, Rowland taught at Sogang University in Seoul, South Korea and for the State Center Community College District in Fresno, California. A dual U.S./Argentine citizen, Rowland was born in Buenos Aires and raised in greater London, England, and Seoul, South Korea.
Michael Green, associate vice president of recruiting and college relations at IES Abroad, said, “Leo is truly a pleasure to work with. His work both as an administrator and faculty member in the field of study abroad widely exhibits his dedication to students’ academic success. At IES Abroad, we are thankful to have him as a committed volunteer on various committees and councils.”
During his time at the University of Redlands, he has also been a reviewer for both the Benjamin Gilman and Boren scholarships. He is a member of the Redlands’ Latin American Studies Program Advisory Board and teaches short-term study abroad courses including “Storytelling in London Town”, a course he will lead in June 2019 in partnership with the IES Abroad London Center. He has also lead the design and development of a strategic partnership between Redlands and Tuskegee University, an HBCU in Alabama that will include student and faculty exchanges, as well as joint program and research development.
