Ryan Larsen is Western's new director of Education Abroad

Ryan Larsen will join Western as its new director of Education Abroad on Jan. 17.

After 13 years at the University of Nevada Las Vegas, where he served most recently as associate director of International Education, Larsen brings expertise in Education Abroad policy as well as experience mentoring underrepresented students so that they might participate in education abroad opportunities. 

Larsen will report to Vicki Hamblin, executive director of the Institute for Global Engagement.

“Ryan combines a passion for inclusion and diversity with an energetic and engaging approach to leadership in education abroad,” said Hamblin. “These are among the qualities that attracted us to Ryan. We already have a successful Education Abroad office that sends more than 600 students abroad annually, but this investment in new leadership will take Western to another level.”

Larsen holds a doctorate in Public Affairs from the University of Nevada with a focus on International Education policy. He has been recognized by NAFSA for his outstanding service to international education, and received a Fulbright scholarship to Japan.

"Joining the Western family, immersing myself in the robust education abroad and international education initiatives on campus, and having a new city and region to explore compose a new adventure," he said. "Even though I’ll still be in the U.S., I have to confess that moving from Nevada to western Washington — opposites in culture, climate, and ecosystem — are reminiscent of experiences characteristic of studying abroad, as when I was about to depart for my own academic year abroad in Central America as an undergrad, and I cannot wait.”

IGE will host a coffee and pastries reception from 8-10 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan.17 in Miller Hall 210; members of the Western campus community are invited to drop by to meet Ryan.