The University of Iowa announced Tuesday that Russell Ganim will assume the role of associate provost and dean of International Programs, once Downing Thomas steps down Dec. 31, after a decade in the position.

Every year thousands of international students make the fearless decision to advance their education in the United States. With thousands of colleges to choose from, these students qualify for some of the most prestigious programs in the nation. As prospective scholars weed out their options, they soon begin looking for an institution that feels like home. More than 3,100 international students and scholars currently call the University of Iowa home. Beyond their academic programs, the university has proven to be a welcoming, supportive, and integrated space for international applicants. And for a student like Mishma Nixon, current second-year Hawkeye student originally from Sri Lanka, that was all she could ask for.

Russell Ganim, director of the Division of World Languages, Literatures, and Cultures in the University of Iowa College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), has been named the new associate provost and dean of International Programs. He will begin on Jan. 1.

UI alum and world renowned opera singer Simon Estes was awarded the 2019 International Impact Award as part of this special program of WorldCanvass.

In June, Ted Neal, associate professor of science education and former wildlife camp instructor, travelled to São Paulo, Brazil, to present his research on informal learning environments and immersive inquiry. Neal received funding to pursue international education from the University of Iowa’s International Travel Award. The grant supports international travel for research, creative activity, and active participation from university tenured, tenure-track, clinical, or research faculty members looking to travel internationally.

When Downing Thomas ends his tenure as associate provost and dean of International Programs at the end of the semester, he’ll be making two significant shifts in his life. Professionally, Thomas will return to teaching French literature as a professor in the Department of French and Italian in the College of Arts and Sciences, effective Dec. 31. The second significant shift in his life is personal. Thomas and his wife, Joy, are expecting a baby in December.