Pitt’s Global Experiences Office has a new director

After a national search, Hillary Koller (A&S ’06, EDUC ’10), is the new director of Pitt’s Global Experiences Office (PittGEO), effective Oct. 17.

Koller has served as interim co-director of the office since April. She brings 15 years of experience in higher education into the role, most recently as director of international programs in the College of Business Administration.

“We are delighted about Hillary Koller’s transition as the head of PittGEO,” said Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs Ariel Armony. “She brings years of experience and expertise to her directorship, and I’m confident that she’s the leader we need at this key moment in Pitt’s history.”

A two-time Pitt alumna, Koller is also an instructor in the College of Business Administration and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute.

“I’m thrilled that Hillary will be bringing her perspective as a Pitt alum and her progressive leadership in global learning to grow programming in ways that will serve our faculty, staff and students by making a global education more accessible than ever,” said Executive Director of Global Engagement Belkys Torres.

PittGEO is the result of a reinvention of Pitt’s study abroad office during the COVID-19 pandemic, adding experiential learning here in the U.S., virtual coursework and programming for international students to its portfolio. The office also sent 1,200 students abroad in the 2021-2022 academic year, its first year in operation.  

[Read about how the Global Experiences Office has reinvented its programs.]

Koller will lead a staff of 23 across seven locations, as well as guide the administration of study abroad, study away and virtual programs while coordinating two national scholarship programs.

“I’m excited to lead the Global Experiences Office into the future alongside an excellent team of staff,” said Koller.

The past few years, she added, have taught the team how to deliver global experiences that don’t require travel but still help students build essential skills. Expanding on that progress is just one way she plans to develop opportunities beyond standard study abroad experiences.

“It is my hope that we can leverage some of these lessons learned and find new and creative ways to engage students in developing a global mindset while we continue to rebuild our high-quality study-abroad and study-away programs in partnership with our faculty, UCIS colleagues and international partners,” said Koller.