Brian Brubaker, Jody Pritt named associate vice provosts for Penn State Global

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Brian Brubaker and Jody Pritt have been named associate vice provosts for Penn State Global, marking a promotion from their previous positions of assistant vice provost. Their new positions will begin effective Jan. 1, 2026.

“I've been so impressed with both Brian's and Jody's leadership, commitment to our mission, and diligent work to support students and faculty,” said Sabine Klahr, vice provost for Global. “This change will improve coordination between our largest and most complex units focused on student success and integrates the perspectives and work of those units across our office. Additionally, Brian’s and Jody’s broader leadership roles will allow us to expand our work and impact across the University.”

Brubaker has been with Penn State Global since 2016, first serving for five years as the director of Education Abroad before being promoted to assistant vice provost for Global Learning. Global Learning encompasses a myriad of activities, including study abroad, co-curricular student activities, implementing global curriculum in the classroom, digital exchange (through the EDGE program), and much more.

Prior to joining Penn State, Brubaker served for three years as the assistant vice president for Customized Programs at IES Abroad, a premier, non-profit study abroad provider. He also held the position of executive director of the Center for Global Study and Engagement at his alma mater, Dickinson College, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in international studies. Brubaker is active in the education abroad field having chaired several Council Committees for the Forum on Education Abroad in addition to serving as an adviser for multiple international education organizations. He holds an MBA from the Thunderbird School of Global Management with a focus in global brand management.

"Serving and leading within the Penn State community has been exceptionally rewarding, and I’m grateful my career has led me here,” Brubaker said, “We have an amazing team in Penn State Global and I look forward to expanding my role within the organization as we support the University in realizing the full potential of its global impact.”

Pritt came to Penn State in 2023 to serve as assistant vice provost for International Student and Scholar Advising (ISSA), responsible for overseeing visa processing and legal compliance for roughly 10,000 international students, scholars, and faculty across the University.

Prior to Penn State, she was the director of international student and scholar services at Georgia State University and before that, the director of international student services at the University of South Carolina. She holds a doctorate of education in educational leadership and policy analysis from the University of Missouri–Columbia and is a former Fulbright recipient. She has also held several leadership and service roles within professional associations, including NAFSA: Association of International Educators, and is currently a member of the public policy committee for the Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA).

“It has been my honor and privilege to serve and support Penn State’s international students, scholars, and faculty,” said Pritt. “I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity and excited to continue working under Sabine’s leadership as we advance Penn State Global’s mission.”

In their new positions, Pritt and Brubaker will continue to oversee ISSA and Global Learning, respectively, while expanding their portfolios to co-lead Penn State Global with the vice provost to coordinate enhanced cross-unit collaboration and lead new initiatives.

“Jody and Brian have already stepped up their leadership responsibilities for Penn State Global since I was interim vice provost, so it is exciting to officially recognize their contributions with these appointments,” said Klahr. “I look forward to further developing Penn State’s global excellence with this exceptional leadership team.”

For more information about Penn State Global, visit its website.