Citing a desire to return to teaching and research, Howard Rollins has announced his decision to resign his position as associate vice provost of International Programs, effective June 30. At that time, Dr. Rollins will assume his position as a professor in Georgia Tech's School of Psychology.

He assumed the leadership of International Education at Georgia Tech in 2003, with the initial title of director of International Education. Over a four-year period, he has contributed substantially to the internationalization of Georgia Tech and to the recognition of Georgia Tech as one of the leading U.S. universities in international education.

Perhaps his single most important contribution is his leadership in the creation of the International Plan, a new initiative intended to graduate globally competent undergraduates. Professor Rollins chaired the university-wide faculty committee that developed this initiative, facilitated its progress through school, college and campus-wide committees, and then led the faculty committee in the implementation of the plan. Currently, students may receive the International Plan designation for 23 different majors, and nearly 300 have elected to participate in its first two years of operation.

The International Plan has been widely acclaimed as one of the most innovative new international programs because it tightly integrates international learning and experience into each student's major. In 2005, the International Plan was awarded second place in a national competition for the Heiskel Award for Innovation in Internationalization by the Institute for International Education (IIE). Last year, Georgia Tech was honored to receive the Senator Paul Simon Internationalization Award from NAFSA (the international association of international educators) for all of its internationalization efforts.

Rollins has been instrumental in assisting with the development of a number of programs for Georgia Tech students, expanding the range of study abroad programs and providing new programs for international students. He also facilitated the development of the International House (I-House), a living-learning program that enables both U.S. and international students to live together and learn about international studies.

As chair of the Singapore Steering Committee, Rollins helped develop a long-range plan for Georgia Tech's growing presence and importance in Singapore. This initiative resulted in a recommendation to establish a more substantial physical presence in Singapore, and may soon lead to other important new initiatives.

Rollins has always sought out opportunities to tackle new and complex challenges. With the provost's recent reorganization, Rollins contemplated other opportunities.

"The Provost's reorganization of his office reflects an expansion of focus in Georgia Tech's internationalization efforts," Rollins said. "This shift led me to consider whether I might best serve the university as an academic rather than as an administrator. Much of my 39-year career has been devoted to teaching, research and leadership within psychology. Even though I have been a full-time administrator for more than a decade, I have always considered myself first and foremost to be a member of the faculty, and so it gives me great pleasure to return to this role now."

Anderson Smith, senior vice provost for Academic Affairs said, "Howard has been responsible for much of Georgia Tech's success in building our International Plan and for the recognition given to Georgia Tech for its international educational programs. While we regret his decision to leave the position, we understand his desire to return to an academic role within the Tech community."