The Office of International Affairs (OIA) has appointed three Ohio State faculty members to serve as academic directors for the Global Gateways, Ohio State’s liaison offices in China, India and Brazil. In addition to their faculty appointments, they will serve as part-time senior advisors for the Global Gateways and connect with Ohio State’s 15 colleges and regional campuses to identify new partnership opportunities abroad.
Roger Williams
Roger Williams, associate professor of forest ecosystem analysis and management at the School of Environment and Natural Resources in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences, is the academic director for the China Gateway; Jay Anand, William H. Davis Chair and Dean’s Distinguished Professor of Strategy at the Fisher College of Business, is the academic director for the India Gateway; and Fabio Leite, associate professor of psychology at Ohio State Lima, is the academic director for the Brazil Gateway.
A new initiative for OIA, the faculty appointments are intended to advance the Global Gateways research and scholarship collaborations, elevate their profile in strategic areas, and connect Ohio State’s global engagement with the university’s Academic Plan.
“The Global Gateway academic directors will strengthen our ability to enhance the university’s impact through external engagement and further our local and global missions,” said Gil Latz, vice provost for global strategies and international affairs. “We are committed to contributing to Ohio State’s academic vision and look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead.”
Jay Anand
Williams has long-standing connections with China including actively working with Northeast Forestry University to develop student exchange and education abroad opportunities, serving as director of the China Undergraduate Research Abroad Program in partnership with Guangxi Ecological Engineering Vocational and Technical Institute, and he has hosted and worked with visiting scholars from China.
Born in Delhi, Anand has deep roots in India. He has worked closely with the India Gateway in collaborations with Tata Management Training Centre and Tata Consultancy Services to develop and conduct management training workshops. He also has collaborated with colleagues at numerous Indian universities, has been heavily involved with the Indian School of Business and has built a wide network of academic and non-academic connections throughout the country.
Fabio Leite
Leite, a native of Brazil, has worked closely with the Brazil Gateway over the past three years to present workshops on developing intercultural competencies in preparation to study, conduct research or work in another culture. In November/December 2022, he also conducted a virtual workshop specifically for undergraduate and graduate students as well as early-career researchers from Brazil.
The academic directors will work across disciplines and leverage existing connections to build strong relationships between Ohio State colleges/units and external partners.