UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Sabine Klahr, vice provost for Global at Penn State, has announced her transition to a phased retirement from the University, beginning July 1. During her phased retirement, Klahr will serve as special adviser in the Office of the Provost, supporting the advancement of key international initiatives and supporting the transition of leadership in Penn State Global.
An interim leader for Penn State Global will be named in the coming weeks and will serve until a national search can be completed.
Klahr was named vice provost in May 2025, after serving in the role in an interim capacity since March 2024. She previously joined Penn State Global as associate vice provost in July 2022. As vice provost, Klahr led University-wide global engagement and programs along with a staff of 90 employees, moving Penn State forward in its mission as a global university, serving and supporting international students and scholars, and providing guidance and assistance to Penn Staters traveling abroad.
“I am deeply grateful for Sabine’s leadership of Penn State Global, and for her excellent service and many contributions to our institution over the last four years,” said Fotis Sotiropoulos, Penn State executive vice president and provost. “Her leadership of this critical part of our University during a time of great change leaves us in a better position. I look forward to working closely with her as special adviser on key international initiatives as she begins her phased retirement.”
Under Klahr’s leadership, Penn State received the 2025 NAFSA Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization, the highest recognition in the field of international education, and Penn State’s UNESCO Chair, Professor Mark Brennan, joined Penn State Global. Additionally, the Global Learning Faculty Fellows program was launched focusing on integrating global learning outcomes into the curriculum; international student support structures and success were strengthened; and Penn State Global has managed the changing federal compliance issues, keeping the University informed and providing direct support to our international community.
“I am so deeply thankful for the opportunity to serve Penn State and work alongside such collaborative and dedicated colleagues, as well as with our partners across the University and around the world,” Klahr said. “Advancing the University’s global mission and facilitating Penn State’s excellence in global engagement has truly been the greatest privilege of my career. I am proud of the Penn State Global team and what we have accomplished together. In general, Penn State’s commitment to global engagement is exceptional. I look forward to continuing to support the University during this transition.”
Penn State Global serves as the University’s hub for global programs, initiatives and support, seeking to integrate global perspectives and engagement across education, research and outreach. Advancing and supporting global engagement across the University, the unit 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, Penn State Global offers programming for faculty, staff and students around cultural competency and global learning, and administers the Global Safety Network, which offers global safety support for University travelers.
Klahr has served in various leadership positions in international higher education for nearly 30 years. In 2013, Klahr served as president of the Association for International Education Administrators, the preeminent organization for leaders in international education, and she was subsequently awarded a distinguished leadership award from that organization in 2016. As part of the U.S. Fulbright Award Program, Klahr traveled 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. Klahr regularly consults, publishes and presents at conferences on topics focused on higher education internationalization.
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.