International Programs director to leave

After nearly three years as Executive Director of International Programs at Penn, Anne Waters is stepping down.

Waters is taking on a new leadership role at New York University as Associate Vice Provost for Global Affairs, according to Penn’s Office of the Provost.

While at Penn, she led the primary international services offices of the University, which include Penn Abroad and International Student and Scholar Services.

“Waters has recruited a fabulous staff, and I think that the Office of International Programs will continue to thrive and be supportive of all of Penn’s global activities,” Erika Gross, Director of Risk Management for OIP, wrote in an email.

A replacement for Waters’ position has not yet been found, Gross added.

During her time at Penn, Waters introduced the Global Activities Registry, which keeps track of students and Penn community members while they are studying, traveling or working abroad in order to ensure their safety.

The GAR recently played a crucial role in locating members of the Penn community after the earthquake and tsunami in Japan earlier this year. Registration has since been mandated for all students, faculty and staff traveling abroad.

Provost Vincent Price wrote in a statement that Waters also took many measures to improve students’ experiences abroad, as she promoted internships in other nations, worked with a new Faculty Advisory Committee on Study Abroad and improved risk and crisis management, budgeting and data analysis.

“[Waters] has been a transformative leader of Penn’s international programs,” Price wrote. “Her intellectual energy and deep analytical skills have strengthened every dimension of Penn’s global engagement.”

Waters received a masters degree from Penn in 1986 in South Asia Studies as well as a Ph.D. in anthropology and history from the University of Michigan in 1997.

Before coming to Penn in 2008, she worked at McKinsey & Company’s global organization and leadership practice.

“I’m sure Dr. Waters will stimulate innovation at NYU,” Gross wrote. “We all wish her well.”

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