UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Jody Pritt, associate vice provost for Penn State Global and international student and scholar advising, has been named interim vice provost for Penn State Global, effective Aug. 1.  A national search for a permanent vice provost will begin in the spring. 

Pritt succeeds Sabine Klahr, who entered phased retirement from the University and will serve as special adviser for global affairs to the executive vice president and provost, providing key insights and using her decades of experience in international education to expand Penn State’s global portfolio. 

“We are grateful to Dr. Pritt for stepping into the role of interim vice provost for Penn State Global,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, executive vice president and provost. “As the head of International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA), she has been at the forefront of the recent challenges to international education but has a strong vision for the opportunities that exist for all Penn Staters to become more globally engaged. In a time when our world is more interconnected than ever, we are confident in Dr. Pritt’s ability to lead Penn State’s global efforts."  

Pritt came to Penn State in 2023 to serve as assistant vice provost for ISSA, responsible for overseeing visa processing and legal compliance for roughly 10,000 international students, scholars, and faculty across the University. In December 2025, she was elevated to associate vice provost within Penn State Global, alongside Brian Brubaker, who serves as associate vice provost for Penn State Global and Global Learning. 

She previously served as director and executive director, respectively, of international student- and scholar-serving units at the University of South Carolina, Drury University and Georgia State University. She holds a doctorate of education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri–Columbia and has received two Fulbright awards, including one just this year. She has also held several leadership and service roles within professional associations, including NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and is currently a member of the public policy committee for the Association of International Education Administrators. 

Pritt is a world traveler with a particular connection to Oman, where she has done academic research, led university delegations, served as a faculty member for the Takatuf Scholars Programme, and acted as program director for a faculty-led study abroad program. She contributed a chapter to Sultan Qaboos and Modern Oman, 1970-2020 about the modern history of education in Oman and visits the country regularly for personal and professional reasons. 

“I am honored to serve as interim vice provost for Penn State Global,” said Pritt. “Brian Brubaker, myself, and the rest of the leadership team work very well together. We are committed to keeping Global on its current trajectory: supporting international students, expanding global learning across all Penn State campuses, elevating research, teaching and service abroad, and supporting all Penn Staters as they engage globally, whether on campus or outside the United States.” 

Penn State Global serves as the hub for global engagement at Penn State, advancing the University’s global reach and impact. The office provides support for international students and scholars, programming and support for global learning, and facilitates international partnerships and other connections. Penn State Global works across the University with faculty, staff and students as well as external partners to address global challenges via education, research and outreach. 

Penn State Global is committed to working with all members of the Penn State community to incorporate global perspectives in their work, studies and activities. Therefore, the office provides a comprehensive range of international and intercultural opportunities and connections for Penn State faculty, staff and students through programming, partnerships, support structures and expertise.