UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Sabine Klahr has been named vice provost for Global, effective May 15. Klahr served as the interim vice provost starting in March 2024 and previously joined Penn State Global as associate vice provost in July 2022.
Penn State Global advances and supports global engagement across the University The office manages a broad range of programs, such as education abroad ; supports international students and scholars; and facilitates the University's many international partnerships around the world. Additionally, the office offers programming for faculty, staff and students around cultural competency and global learning, and administers the Global Safety Network, including other global safety support for University travelers. In summary, Penn State Global serves as the hub for global programs, initiatives and support, seeking to integrate global perspectives and engagement across education, research and outreach.
Klahr brings to the role more than 25 years of leadership in international higher education. As associate vice provost, Klahr oversaw global partnerships, strategy and analysis and marketing and communications, while working across all units in Penn State Global and collaboratively with departments around the University. As interim vice provost, Klahr led university-wide global engagement and programs along with a staff of 90 employees. Under her leadership, Penn State was awarded the 2025 NAFSA Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, the most prestigious recognition in the field of international education, and Penn State’s UNESCO Chair, Professor Mark Brennan, joined Penn State Global.
“Sabine is highly respected across the country in the field of international education, given her proven leadership at Penn State and elsewhere, her exemplary performance in the interim role, and her deep commitment to international engagement and education,” said Tracy Langkilde, interim executive vice president and provost. “Sabine is well respected by her colleagues at Penn State Global and beyond. I admire her unwavering commitment to the mission as well as her approachable, transparent and team-oriented approach.”
The search committee was chaired by Kimberly Lawless, dean of the College of Education at Penn State.
“I am deeply honored to step into the permanent role of vice provost for Global. Penn State is poised to significantly advance its global engagement across education, research and outreach after the University was awarded the prestigious 2025 NAFSA Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization,” Klahr said. “At Penn State, there is a shared understanding that global engagement is key to advancing our mission and I am truly excited to continue building our capacity and connections with internal and external partners.”
“I would like to express my gratitude and appreciation to Interim Executive Vice President and Provost Tracy Langkilde, the search committee led by Dean Kim Lawless, and the amazing Penn State Global team for their wonderful support for my appointment,” Klahr said.
Klahr said she is excited to provide leadership for Penn State Global and work with the globally engaged faculty, staff, students and administration to continue to integrate global perspectives and activities to elevate Penn State, fulfill the land-grant mission and reach strategic goals.
“This is the perfect time for Penn State to develop a shared vision and goals for advancing global engagement and supporting our international community,” she said. “As we are working on the University’s new strategic plan, this is an ideal time to develop a common vision and overarching goals as units are developing their plans and metrics to address the priorities outlined in the strategic planning document.”
Before Penn State, Klahr was associate and acting chief global officer at the University of Utah’s Office of Global Engagement for 11 years. She began her career in international higher education working in education abroad at Colorado State University and Western Michigan University before becoming a senior international officer at Boise State University and then Chatham University.
In 2013, Klahr served as president of the Association for International Education Administrators (AIEA), the preeminent organization for leaders in international education, and she was subsequently awarded a distinguished leadership award from that organization in 2016. Fulbright Awards took Klahr to India in 2011 and Norway in 2018. In Norway, she worked with a national government-supported organization that administers funding for higher education international initiatives.
Originally from Germany, Klahr earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in botany/plant ecology from the University of Oklahoma as an international and first-generation student. After working in science and outdoor education, she earned a doctorate in education leadership focused on international higher education from Montana State University-Bozeman in 1998.