Dr. Paulo Zagalo-Melo
KALAMAZOO, Mich.—Western Michigan University and the Haenicke Institute for Global Education (HIGE) proudly announce the election of Dr. Paulo Zagalo-Melo, associate provost of HIGE, as the president-elect of the  (AIEA). His leadership journey in AIEA's presidential stream began in February 2024 and will extend through February 2027.
In the presidential stream, Zagalo-Melo will start as president-elect, where he, alongside the president, is responsible for overseeing logistics for the AIEA Annual Membership Meeting and participating in governance committees. He will then transition to president, leading AIEA board meetings, representing the association globally and guiding its strategic direction. In his final year, he will chair the annual conference that is attended by leaders from over 40 countries. This succession highlights a pivotal moment as the president-elect, president, and past president are all former international students, showcasing the diversity and global perspective at AIEA's core.
Dr. Darla Deardorff, executive director of AIEA, shared her excitement about Zagalo-Melo's new role, stating, "Paulo's leadership has made a significant impact, notably in overhauling our membership structure. His extensive experience will greatly benefit our global community."
Zagalo-Melo's previous roles within AIEA, including his service as a member and vice chair of the Policy Advocacy Committee, chair of the Member Outreach and Awards Committee, board member, and AIEA Presidential Fellow, have equipped him for this comprehensive leadership position. His election aligns with the initiation of AIEA's strategic planning cycle, with priorities including the internationalization of membership, increasing representation by minority-serving institutions and aligning AIEA's strategic plan with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
Dr. Jill Blondin, associate vice provost for global initiatives at Virginia Commonwealth University, who nominated Zagalo-Melo, says, "Paulo's innovative and strategic thinking, combined with his compassion and intellect, make him the ideal leader for AIEA. His extensive experience will be invaluable as we embark on strategic planning." Blondin also recently co-authored Strategic Budgeting in Internationalization with Zagalo-Melo. The e-book, published Feb. 5 by Terra Dotta and  is an expert guide on funding models, strategic planning, communication and goal alignment in international higher education that grew out of their work together at AIEA.
“Paulo has a great deal of nuanced expertise in many different areas of international education, both in the United States and abroad,” Blondin says.
Reflecting on his election, Zagalo-Melo says, "This opportunity is not just a personal achievement but a shared success that reflects WMU and HIGE’s collective dedication towards global engagement."
The Haenicke Institute for Global Education congratulates Zagalo-Melo on this distinguished appointment and anticipate his impactful contributions to the global education community. For more information about HIGE and its initiatives, visit the institute's webpage.
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