Identity area
Type of entity
Authorized form of name
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Standardized form(s) of name according to other rules
Other form(s) of name
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Description area
Dates of existence
History
The Office of International Affairs (OIA) serves as the administrative unit at South Dakota State University (SDSU) for initiating, coordinating, and managing programs that promote international engagement across the university.
Established in 1988 as the Office of International Programs, the unit was first directed by Dr. David Hilderbrand. During his tenure, SDSU signed its first international exchange agreements with institutions in China, South Korea, and England. Dr. Hilderbrand led the office until fall 1993, when he became Director of SDSU Sioux Falls Programs.
In November 1993, Associate Professor Harriet Swedlund became Acting Director and was appointed Director in May 1994. She served until her retirement in fall 2003. Under her leadership, the office experienced significant growth in international student and faculty exchanges and developed partnerships with over a dozen institutions and two major consortia: the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS) and the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA).
Dr. Karl J. Schmidt, who joined SDSU in September 2003 from Missouri Southern State University, is the office’s third director. With a background in international affairs and Asian history, Dr. Schmidt has expanded semester-abroad programs and faculty initiatives. SDSU has also joined national organizations such as the American Council on Education’s Internationalization Collaborative, the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE), and the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP).
In September 2005, the office was renamed the Office of International Affairs to better reflect the breadth of its activities.