Director of Global Engagement

Based in the foothills of the Smoky Mountains since 2004, Kirsten Sheppard is originally from Calgary, Canada. She spent about 8 years studying, living and working overseas before she came to the U.S. to complete her MA in International Education (SIT Graduate Institute) in Brattleboro, VT.  She first studied abroad when she was 13, travelling on a short-term study abroad program throughout Europe and the Mediterranean. As an undergraduate student at the University of Calgary, she studied abroad in Mexico, and then spent six years working and living abroad in Europe, Asia and the UAE. In her role as Director of Global Engagement at Maryville College oversees all Center for Global Engagement operations, including Educational Abroad, International Student Services, International Enrollment Management, the Global+ Program and campus internationalization.  Throughout her career she has been passionate about the design and delivery of culturally immersive experiences for both education abroad and international student services, and has led programs throughout the US, Ecuador and Costa Rica. She has been an active leader in international education, contributing to best practices in health and safety abroad and sustainable travel.  Current work and research interests include development of global competencies, assessment of study abroad impact, crisis management, and sustainable travel. In her free time, Kirsten likes to do almost anything active or outdoors, including biking, yoga, and diving.  She is also an adjunct instructor at Maryville College, teaching Sustainable Tourism in the Outdoor Studies and Tourism major. Interesting Fact? Kirsten was a professional high diver for 7 years and a national-level competitive diver for 10 years.