Each year, IES Abroad, the leading not-for-profit study abroad organization, recognizes a study abroad professional with the Volunteer of the Year Award. 

This year, IES Abroad proudly honored Doug Lee, assistant provost of International Programs at the University of Iowa, at the 2019 IES Abroad Annual Conference. 

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has supported and strengthened the mission of the study abroad field through extraordinary volunteer efforts. The awardee is chosen by the institutional member representatives at IES Abroad. 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. 

Doug Lee received his B.A. in Finance from Iowa State University – Ivy College of Business, and his M.B.A. from the University of Northern Iowa. 

Lee has worked at the University of Iowa since 1991. He started in the Office of the Provost and held a number of positions, including the associate dean for Continuing Education, until 2012 when he took on his current role as the assistant provost for International Programs–which he has held for seven years. He is also part of the International Programs Faculty Advisory Council that advises the associate provost and dean on the University of Iowa’s global strategies. The council also serves as a communication network to provide direction for existing or potential cross-collegiate international activities and initiatives, and more. 

During Lee’s time at The University of Iowa he has contributed to the achievement of a number of awards–both for the University and personally–including University of Iowa’s Outstanding Staff Award Winner in 2015, the Heiskell Award for Best Practice by the Institute for International Education in 2016, and the Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization for International Programs in 2017. 

Doug Lee is actively engaged with IES Abroad, consistently volunteering his time and energy to the organization. He was a member of the IES Abroad Program Planning Committee and was the Chair of the IES Abroad Nominations Committee. He also works diligently to involve colleagues at his University–inside and outside of his office–with IES Abroad organizing for staff to participate in IES Abroad familiarization trips to Centers around the world, and advisor workshops. He also hosts IES Abroad Center Directors when they are in the U.S., and has previously organized Bill Hoye, IES Abroad Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, to give a risk management presentation to colleagues at the Iowa campus. 

Dr. Mary M. Dwyer, President & CEO of IES Abroad, said: “Doug has been incredibly dedicated to IES Abroad and the study abroad field, and continues to be a wonderful example of effective leadership. Doug often attributes his drive to send as many students as possible to study abroad to the fact that he did not have the opportunity to study abroad himself. We’re grateful to have such a hardworking, selfless individual in our field.”