Global Education Office engages senior internationalization strategist
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
Phone: (804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA (August 19, 2024) — The Global Education Office welcomes to Virginia Commonwealth University Paulo Zagalo-Melo, Ph.D., senior internationalization strategist, as a consultant to support international student enrollment and partnership efforts in collaboration with VCU’s Division of Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS). Zagalo-Melo brings to VCU a wealth of knowledge and experience in strategic international enrollment growth and partnership building.
Jill Blondin, Ph.D., associate vice provost for global initiatives, feels Zagalo-Melo will offer specialized knowledge about increasing international student growth and enrollment.
“I look forward to the outcomes of Dr. Zagalo-Melo's guidance and expertise in increasing international student enrollment through strategic partnerships at VCU,” she said. “He has a very nuanced understanding of how to enhance internationalization through such collaborative efforts.”
Formerly the associate provost for global education at Western Michigan University (WMU), Paulo Zagalo-Melo oversaw the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education (HIGE), WMU’s comprehensive international office. During his seven years at WMU, as well as during his work at the Luso-American Development Foundation (FLAD), he focused on strategic capacity-building partnerships including, for example, WMU's first-ever 4+0 dual degree agreement for three undergraduate programs fully delivered outside of the US, and partnerships between U.S. federal research agencies and Portuguese higher education institutions.
Zagalo-Melo was a featured workshop facilitator during the launch of GEO’s Global Initiatives Master Class Series in fall 2023, presenting to VCU deans, associate deans, faculty and staff the workshop, "Global Partnerships as Collaborative Enrollment-Driving Ventures," during which he provided suggestions of how to optimize partnership engagement.
As Zagalo-Melo will work closely with SEMSS, VCU leadership views his consultant work as greatly beneficial to the university.
"We are delighted to welcome Dr. Paulo Zagalo-Melo to VCU as we strive to further enhance our global presence while boosting international student enrollment through strategic partnerships,” said Hernan Bucheli, Ed.D., vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success.
“Dr. Zagalo-Melo's expertise in international enrollment growth and enrollment partnership development will be a key asset as we enhance our international enrollment strategy. We look forward to his contributions in diversifying and growing our university’s global enrollment pipelines."
Zagalo-Melo believes his experience is a strength he will capitalize upon to provide guidance and results for increased international student enrollment for the university in the long term.
“I am excited about this collaboration with VCU. My 30-year experience in higher education includes extensive work on partnership development and international enrollment in various higher education institutions. I hope to contribute to enhancing VCU’s global footprint and success in internationalization.”