Holbrook named to international education board

COLUMBUS - Karen A. Holbrook, president of The Ohio State University, has been elected to the Board of Trustees of the Institute of International Education (IIE), a non-profit educational and cultural exchange organization.

Founded in 1919, the IIE is the world's most experienced global higher education and professional exchange organization with a network of 19 offices worldwide and more than 850 college and university members.

“We are delighted to have Dr. Holbrook on our board,” said IIE President Allan E. Goodman. “She is an extraordinary educator and administrator, and the Institute will benefit greatly from the expertise and perspective she will bring as a trustee.”

Holbrook became Ohio State's 13th president in October 2002. Under her direction, the university has made substantial and measurable progress toward fulfilling the goals of its strategic plan, this year admitting its best prepared freshman class for the 10th year in a row, with improved average ACT scores and more members who rank at the top of their graduating high school class. Holbrook also has made cutting-edge research a priority and an integral part of the educational process at all levels of the university. To enhance Ohio State's role in the community and further strong collaborations, she has presided over the creation of numerous strategic partnerships, including one with Battelle Memorial Institute for research and other entities to encourage and support high-tech entrepreneurship.

Throughout her career, she has held leadership roles and participated extensively in the activities of professional and honorary societies, including the American Academy for the Advancement of Science, where she is a member of the board of directors and Fellow; the American Association of Universities; the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges; and the Association of American Medical Colleges. She is on the Board of Directors of ACT, the American Council on Education, the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, and the National Council for Science and the environment. She is involved in national and regional efforts to strengthen graduate education in America and has been active in economic development partnerships at the community and state levels.

IIE designs and implements programs of study and training for students, educators, young professionals and trainees from all sectors, with funding from government and private sources. Among these programs are the Fulbright Student and Scholar Programs and the Humphrey Fellowships, sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, and development assistance and energy training programs, sponsored by the U.S. Agency for International Development. IIE also manages training and scholarship programs for corporations, conducts policy research and provides advice and counseling on international educational opportunities abroad.