![\"Louisa](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/Louisa_Blenman-1200x800.jpg\")
Louisa Blenman (Bill Lax\/FSU Photography)\t\t<\/p>\n\t\tLouisa Blenman (Bill Lax\/FSU Photography)\t\t<\/p>\n
Florida State University Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Jim Clark\u00a0has\u00a0appointed Louisa Blenman as\u00a0executive director\u00a0of International Programs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blenman, who\u00a0has served as interim director since\u00a0May\u00a02024, will officially start in the role\u00a0on\u00a0Dec. 5.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cFSU\u2019s International Programs open doors to the world for our students, and Lou Blenman\u2019s appointment as executive director marks an exciting new chapter,\u201d said FSU Provost James Clark. \u201cHer vision and experience will help us deepen global partnerships and create transformative opportunities that prepare students to lead in a rapidly changing world.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blenman will build upon 30 years of experience and\u00a0expertise\u00a0in international education. She has worked for FSU International Programs since 2004 and served as associate director since 2018. She also currently serves on the boards of charities and foundations associated with each FSU international study center and the FSU International Programs\u00a0Association\u00a0direct\u00a0support\u00a0organization.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cLou Blenman\u2019s appointment as executive director reflects her years of leadership and expertise at FSU and in the field of study abroad,\u201d said Steve McDowell, FSU\u2019s assistant provost for International Initiatives. \u201cHer vision will ensure FSU continues to offer world-class global opportunities for our students.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
FSU\u00a0is a national leader\u00a0in international education, ranking 10th among public universities (No. 12\u00a0overall) for the total number of students studying abroad in 2023-2024, with 2,702 students\u00a0participating\u00a0in global programs.\u00a0FSU\u00a0also\u00a0ranks first among public universities (and\u00a0No. 4\u00a0overall) for the number of students\u00a0participating\u00a0in long-term study abroad programs, leading the field in extended international education experiences.\u00a0<\/p>\n
This year\u00a0also\u00a0marks the 20th anniversary of FSU\u2019s innovative First Year Abroad program, with a record 314 students enrolled this fall\u00a0\u2014\u00a0a testament to the university\u2019s commitment to expanding transformative global opportunities for its students.\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u00a0appreciate\u00a0Provost Clark\u2019s confidence in me\u00a0to lead\u00a0the International Programs team\u00a0as we build on our successful history and\u00a0pursue\u00a0new opportunities\u00a0abroad,\u201d Blenman said.\u00a0\u201cIt\u00a0is an honor to\u00a0have so many talented colleagues, both domestically and internationally,\u00a0who\u00a0work tirelessly to provide transformative experiences\u00a0for\u00a0our students. I look forward to\u00a0continuing to support\u00a0the\u00a0university\u2019s strategic efforts\u00a0and aspirations.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u00a0Before International Programs, Blenman spent a decade working in study abroad in London after completing a prestigious internship at the Fulbright Commission.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Blenman is a two-time graduate of FSU. She earned a Master\u2019s in Higher Education from the College of Education (now the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences) in 1994 and an MBA from the College of Business in 2012.\u00a0<\/p>\n
She succeeds Jim Pitts, who retired in 2024 after a 56-year career at Florida State.\u00a0<\/p>\n