Kristyn Palmiotto to serve as executive director of Penn Abroad

Kristyn Palmiotto has been appointed the executive director of Penn Abroad after serving as deputy director of the program.

Ezekiel Emanuel, vice provost for global initiatives, made the announcement on Sept. 19. Palmiotto, who previously served as associate and deputy director for Penn Abroad, has worked with the department for seven years. 

During her time with Penn Abroad, Palmiotto has helped spearhead initiatives such as Penn Global Seminars, Exchange at Penn, and the Global Research and Internship Program. She also has worked to restore opportunities for students to travel internationally after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the announcement. 

Before Penn, Palmiotto worked with international and executive programs at Temple University’s Fox School of Business. 

Palmiotto attended Binghamton University, earning a bachelor’s degree in linguistics and Arabic studies. As an undergraduate student, Palmiotto traveled to Morocco to take classes at Al Akhawayn University. In a Penn Abroad blog post from 2021, Palmiotto said that her experience in Morocco launched the rest of her globally focused career. 

“My first passport stamp expanded my worldview and future professional trajectory in ways I could have never imagined,” she wrote.  

After graduation, Palmiotto received a Fulbright award to serve as an English teaching assistant in Malta. She then obtained a master’s degree in international educational development from Teachers College at Columbia University. 

Amy Gadsden, associate vice provost for global initiatives, said that Palmiotto’s leadership would help provide all Penn students with a meaningful experience abroad. 

“Anyone who has worked with Kristyn is familiar with her work ethic, dedication to partnership, incredible attention to detail, and ability to implement initiatives,” Gadsden said. 

This fall, Penn Abroad is offering seven programs that were approved for credit over the last two years. These recently offered opportunities include partnerships with the Ibero-American University of Mexico, CASA-Santiago, and the Paris School of Business.