John Sunnygard
1125 York St
Denver, CO 80206
John.Sunnygard@UCDenver.edu
303.807.9956
Executive Summary
 Experienced, innovative international education leader focused on developing
sustainable models for globally engaged institutions and students;
 Entrepreneurial approaches to strategic internationalization: Developed and brought
more than 90 study abroad programs to market;
 Results driven leader who centers budgets, evaluation, and service on institutional
mission;
 Student learning focused approach to international, intercultural education
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Seasoned international risk management professional
Experience
November 2008 – Current University of Colorado Denver – Denver and Anschutz Medical
Campuses
Interim Senior Director, International Programs and Director, Global Education
Leadership
 Collaborate with university executive leadership to restructure and rebuild Office of
International Affairs
 Pick-up and lead new cohort enrolment initiatives in Korea, China and Spain
 Identify and mentor new leadership in ESL Academy
 Build, lead and manage Global Education office and staff for undergraduate, graduate
and professional programs on two campuses. Study abroad participation growth: 166%.
 Develop and administer curriculum-centered CU Denver faculty led programs for
Semester, Winter, Maymester and Summer
Campus Internationalization
 Initiated CU Denver’s Maymester Abroad programs: anticipate 13 Maymester Abroad
programs in May 2014
 Develop and manage International College Beijing Global Semester program
 Develop Ecologic Institute Graduate and Undergraduate Sustainability semester in
Berlin, Germany (coming Fall, 2014) (CLAS, CAP, SPA)
 Follow through with Korea CU on-line + 3 program to bring in Korean undergraduate
students
 Finalize negotiations and agreement for Graduate School’s Master of Clinical Science
double degree with Universidad Politécnica de Madrid
 Develop integrated model for CEAS and Chinese partner universities
Inclusion and Diversity
 Lead university’s Diversity in Global Education initiative
 Establish close and deep working relationships with TRiO SSS; Educational Opportunity
Programs (EOP) to inform students about scholarships and Study Abroad
 Collaborate with faculty, TRiO SSS and EOP to develop study abroad programs that
meet needs and interests of minority students, e.g. “Leadership Through a Third Eye”
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Recruit and mentor a diverse student workforce to support peers and explore the
international education as a profession
Actively recruit ICB (Beijing and Denver) students to participate in Denver-initiated study
abroad programs
Initiated and taught on College of Engineering and Applied Science’s first Maymester
Abroad program (China)
University Service
 Member of several university committees: Quality in Undergraduate Education; Core
Curriculum Oversight Committee; Associate Deans and Student Services Committee;
Global Health Education Working Group; International Risk Management Committee;
International Perspectives Learning Outcomes Assessment Committee; COMIRB’s
International Research Advisory Committee
 Revised and administer Global Study Scholarship program. CU Denver students’
access to international Scholarship funds increased from $2,000 year to $74,000 year.
Global Health
 Manage and administer health professional students’ and Medical Resident and Fellows’
global learning, clinical, research and rotation experiences
 Support development and implementation of School of Business Global Health
Administration program in Haiti
 Develop Colorado School of Public Health’s initial Global Study program in Cuba
 Collaborate with CHAPA (Dept. of Pediatrics) to develop 2nd Year Medical Spanish
program and 3rd year clinical program in Guatemala
 Serve College of Nursing to develop first Global Study program in Nepal
 Deliver monthly International Risk Management Workshops at AMC
International Risk Management
 International risk management for CU Denver students’ international academic activities
 Founding member of International Risk Management Committee
 Drafted Student International Travel Policy
January 2008 – November 2008
Innovations in Global Education – Founder and President
Consulting Projects include:
Forum on Education Abroad Develop and write Review of Evaluation Processes system,
guidebooks and materials for the Quality Improvement Program; Review of Operational
Processes for Affiliated Programs.
Embassy of Australia - Australia Education International Demand for Short-Term US Study
Abroad Programs research project, brief and workshops. Recruited and led team of five
consultants to conduct comprehensive research on the structure and trends in the US shortterm program market and the capacity and pathways to entry for Australian universities.
University of Arkansas – Security and Risk Management for Short-Term program in northern
Syria
July 2002 – January 2008 The University of Texas at Austin
Director, Center for Global Educational Opportunities
Responsibilities
 Directed the third largest study abroad program in the US
 Recruited, led and managed staff of 17 in Austin and six staff abroad
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Managed one of the largest single-campus international exchange programs with more than
200 foreign exchange partners
 Recommended and established university-wide international education policies, including
credit transfer, financial aid, faculty selection, curriculum, training, risk and safety
 Planned strategic development of UT programs abroad and curricular integration in Europe,
Latin America, Asia, Middle East and Africa
 Negotiated and implemented curriculum-driven international education opportunities with 14
UT colleges and schools
 Developed and implemented strategic marketing plans; oversee promotional materials and
web activities
 Created and retained Risk and Safety Officer position to oversee comprehensive, universitywide international risk and safety management systems, including the innovative
“Suspension Policy,” now standard amongst leading study abroad offices
 Evaluated study abroad programs, including UT programs, program providers, and exchange
programs; recommend changes and improvements
 Served on college and university-wide international education committees to support campus
internationalization
 Represented the University to foreign institutions and US-based study abroad providers,
including negotiating and maintaining relationships at the highest levels
 Maintained solid, productive relationships with faculty, deans and executive offices
 Oversaw successful campus and national scholarship programs: IIE Fulbright (5th), Gilman
(1st), NSEP (4th), (2005 – 06 rankings) for undergraduates and graduates
Accomplishments
 Increased UT study abroad enrolments by 70% over 5-year period
 Restructured the Study Abroad Office to create the more comprehensive Center for Global
Educational Opportunities – C-GEO
 Developed and collaborated to lead the implementation of over 50 faculty-led study abroad
programs in 14 countries
 Created enduring study abroad program models for the university, including Maymesters
Abroad, National University of Cordoba (Argentina) multi-level exchange program, and
Nursing/Public Health in Mexico
 Designed pricing and funding models to keep programs financially self-supporting
 Increased revenues and diversified C-GEO revenue sources beyond fee income and state
funding
 Increased International Education Scholarship monies by over $300,000 annually
 Created frameworks for faculty, departments, and colleges to internationalize the curriculum
 Successfully collaborated with the Colleges of Engineering, Natural Sciences, Fine Arts,
Nursing and Social Work to increase study abroad participation by more than 100%
 Initiated university-wide study abroad outcomes research projects: Longitudinal GPA study
(12 years, over 8,000 subjects); and the Forum on Education Abroad “BEVI Study”
 Secured ATT Foundation grant for $200,000 for three-year study abroad outcomes research
and scholarships
August 1998 – June 2002
Assistant Vice-President for Program Development
IES – The Institute for the International Education of Students
Responsibilities
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Budgeted and priced customized study abroad programs to contribute to IES overhead and
generated a modest surplus for reinvestment into IES programming while offering high value
for client institutions
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Developed and maintained strategic partnerships with faculty and study abroad
administrators at prominent institutions: U. of Minnesota; Indiana U.; Purdue U.; Virginia
Tech; U. of Chicago; U. of Texas-Austin
 Prepared and managed budgets for Customized Programs and Intercultural Competence
Initiative departments
 Recruited, trained, supervised and evaluated U.S. and international staff
 Led Summer Programs Strategic Task Force to determine IES strategy for summer and
short-term programs market
 Served on Crisis Management Team
 Co-developed web-based course for IES Dublin
 Effectively worked with Enrollment Management, Finance, and Recruiting departments
Accomplishments
 Strategically redefined IES customized programming to provide service-oriented, high-quality
international education programs for 35 U.S. universities
 Developed and implemented a marketing strategy that increased customized programs
enrolments by 110% and revenues by 167% to over $1M (1998 – 2002)
 Creatively service clients’ international education objectives by applying extensive
international knowledge and experience tapping into global resource network
 Developed and launched “Intercultural Competence Initiative” at 18 IES centers globally to
enhance students’ academic and personal development
 Researched and tested evaluative instruments to determine measures of student crosscultural development
 Launched The Interculturalist quarterly newsletter; served as editor and regular contributor
July 1993 – July 1998
Director, IES London Program – London, UK
IES – The Institute for the International Education of Students
Responsibilities
 Broadened and enhanced curriculum to meet demands of U.S. undergraduate market,
including business, law, humanities, and EU economics
 Recruited and managed diverse team of 22 adjunct faculty from prestigious London
Universities (LSE, Courtauld Institute, Imperial College, City University)
 Managed 180% FTE enrolment increase
 Taught: International Marketing Management: Europe; Management in a Multi-Cultural
Environment; and Business Internship Seminar
 Recruited, trained supervised and evaluated London staff
 Developed accredited internship program to include 50% of student body
 Acquired prime London building and directed renovation and relocation
 Researched, planned and procured computer network and lab
Significant Accomplishments
 Created innovative academic enrichment programming: Model European Union, Theatre
Project, Creative Writing Seminar, and Film Narrative Workshops
 Pulled program out of deficit to generate significant operating surplus
 Re-established IES as a premier American program in London
 Implemented IES – UIC Great Cities London program (1994 - 1998) which was honored with
the Great Cities Robert Mier Partnership Award (1996)
October 1991 – June 1993
Director, Admissions and Financial Aid
IES – The Institute for the International Education of Students
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Managed and trained admissions staff to advise and process applicants to 24 programs in
Europe and Asia
Recruited students from institutions across the USA
Oversaw pre-departure materials and information production and distribution
Managed and awarded financial aid budget of $350,000
November 1988 – December 1989
Senior Instructor of Business English - Osaka, Japan
International Education Services
 Delivered pedagogical and cross-cultural training for incoming instructors; taught ESL
June 1986 – August 1988
Lecturer (Maître Assistante) Université Hassan II- El Jadida, Morocco
Volunteer, The United States Peace Corps
 Taught and developed undergraduate courses in English composition, conversation, linguistics
and American Civilization
 Developed English for Scientists program which later became a full-time volunteer position
Education
MIM Master of International Management
Thunderbird - American Graduate School of International Management
BA French and International Relations
Graduate study in Development Administration and Political Theory
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Professional Activities and Associations
University Committees (UT Austin)
Provost’s Cross-College Council for International Studies
UT Mexico Working Group Committee
International Studies Undergraduate Degree Planning Committee
UT Fulbright Faculty Committee
Study Abroad Advisory Committee, the Cockrell School of Engineering,
Cultures and Identities - Bridging Disciplines Program Faculty Committee
Board Service
Diversity Abroad (2007 – 2008, invited)
School for Field Studies Board of Trustees (2004 – 2007, invited)
IES Academic Council (2004 – 2007, elected)
CIEE Academic Consortium Board member (2003 – 2006, elected)
IFSA Butler – COPA Consortium Representative (2002 – 2007, appointed)
Arcadia University National Advisory Board (2004 – 2007, member)
SIT - School for International Training – Partnership Council (2006 – 2008, invited)
Professional Associations
NAFSA Member
National Association of Returned Peace Corps Volunteers Member
Thunderbird Alumni Association
1994 – 1996 Education Officer United Nations Association Westminster Branch
1991 – 1993 Volunteer Tutor Literacy Chicago
Languages and Certifications
 French - fluent
 Moroccan Arabic - intermediate, non-reader
 German - conversational
 Japanese - beginning conversational
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Certified QUIP – Quality Improvement Program Peer Reviewer, the Forum on Education
Abroad
Certified Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) Administrator
Publications
Demand for Short-term Study Abroad Programs in the United States: A Research Brief
Australia Education International (Australian Embassy), September 2008
QUIP Review of Evaluation Processes for Study Abroad Guidebook. The Forum on
Education Abroad, February 2008
Book Review: Experiencing Intercultural Communication Judith Martin and Francis
Nakayama authors, for The International Journal of Intercultural Relations Elsevier Science,
Amsterdam, New York
Providing Resources for Leadership Development chapter in The Guide to Successful ShortTerm Programs Abroad Sarah Spenser and Kathy Tuma, eds. NAFSA, Washington, D.C.
May 2002, 2007 (2nd ed.)
Visiting Director’s Handbook (IES Internal Publication) March 2002
The Interculturalist (Quarterly IES newsletter editor 1999 - 2002)
IES Family Guide (Preparation for studying and living abroad)
IES London Faculty Handbook
IES London Student Handbook
Model EU Handbook
Presentations
 Vetting Professional Global Health Education Sites. Forum on Education Abroad Health & Safety
Standards Institute. Denver, CO June 20, 2014 (forthcoming)
 Know Food, Know Culture half-day workshop. Forum on Education Abroad Conference, San Diego,
CA, April 2, 2014 (forthcoming)
 Study Abroad: Bridges, not Borders. Auraria Higher Education Summit 2013, Denver, Colorado,
April 11, 2013.
 Professional Ethics, Diversity, and the Opportunities of Short Term Programs. Standards of Good
Practice Institute: “Ethics and Integrity in Education Abroad” The Forum on Education Abroad,
Chicago, Illinois, April 3, 2013
 All Hands on Deck: Engaging Faculty and Staff in the Diversity Mission. Workshop, Diversity Abroad
Conference, Chicago, Illinois, April 2, 2013
 This is Not Study Abroad: Bridges to Globalize the Health Professions Forum on Education Abroad
Conference Denver, Colorado March 23, 2012
 Growing Abroad: Maximizing Student Development in Study Abroad. Maricopa Community Colleges,
Phoenix, Arizona January 10, 2012
 Maximizing Cultural Awareness in Short Term Programs. NAFSA Regional Conference, Fort Collins,
Colorado, October 27, 2011
 Traditional Re-entry Programs Don’t Work For Today’s Twitters – Forum on Education Abroad
Conference Boston, MA April 6, 2011
 PeaceJam in Guatemala – Engaging Global Realities Through International Service Learning HACU
- Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities International Conference San Juan, Puerto Rico
Feb. 23, 2011
 Short Term Models: Strategic Planning for the Larger Half. Forum on Education Abroad
Conference 2009 Portland, Oregon February 19, 2009
 Peer to Peer Outreach: the value of student ambassador programs. Australia International
Education Conference 2008, Brisbane, Australia October 10, 2008
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Best Practices in US Alumni Development. Australia International Education Conference,
Brisbane Australia October 10, 2008
Demand for Short-Term Study Abroad Programs in the US: A strategic market analysis and
pathways to entry. Workshop. Perth, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Sydney, Australia
September 26 - October 6, 2008.
Increasing the Number of U.S. Students Abroad: Challenges and Opportunities. NAFSA
Annual Conference, Washington DC May 28, 2008
Researching Education Abroad: Preliminary Findings at UT Austin. Forum on Education
Abroad Annual Conference, Boston, MA April 4, 2008
Advocacy, Diversity, and the Senator Paul Simon Act: Preparing a Foundation for the Field.
Forum on Education Abroad, Annual Conference, Boston, MA April 3, 2008
Workshop: Peer Reviewer Training for the Forum’s Quality Improvement Program. (trainer)
Forum on Education Abroad, Annual Conference, Boston, MA April 2, 2008
Workshop: Meeting America’s Global Education Challenge: Exploring Foreign and
Domestic Capacity to Expand US Study Abroad.
AIEA Conference, Washington DC
February 17, 2008
Researching Education Abroad: Preliminary Findings at UT Austin NAFSA Region III
November 4, 2007, Austin, TX
The Paul Simon Foundation Act: Making it Work NAFSA Region III November 4, 2007,
Austin, TX
The Senator Paul Simon Foundation Study Abroad Act of 2007: Considerations to Maximize
Impact NASULGC Commission on International Programs July 12, 2007 Santa Rosa, CA
The US Perspective [on Australian University Study Abroad] Australian Education
International Pre-NAFSA Seminar May 28, 2007, Minneapolis, MN
Focus on Latin America Forum Seminar Presenter, Forum Annual Conference, March 2 & 3,
2007 Austin, Texas
Global Competence: Government Study Abroad Initiatives. Workshop presenter AIEA
Annual Conference, forthcoming February 18, 2007 Washington, DC
Provost’s Cross-College International Studies Council (semi-annual report)
Dean’s Committee on International Studies Annually 2003 - 2006
Theory and Training for Effective Culture Learning for Education Abroad Programming.
NAFSA Workshop May 2006 Montreal, Canada
The Lincoln Commission: Building a Future for Study Abroad in Texas? Texas State NAFSA
February 20, 2006, College Station, Texas
Financing Study Abroad. Forum on Education Abroad, November 2005 Miami, Florida
The Culture Gap: Mitigating Student “Misbehavior” Abroad. CIEE Annual Conference
November, 2005 Miami, Florida
Theory and Training for Effective Culture Learning for Education Abroad Programming.
NAFSA Workshop May 2005 Salt Lake City; May 2006 Montreal, Canada
Early and Hopefully Often: Encouraging Students to Study Abroad as Freshmen CIEE
Annual Conference, November 11, 2004, Santa Fe, NM
Financing Study Abroad: Challenges and Opportunities plenary session IES Annual
Conference, October 23, 2004 Chicago, IL
Foundations Workshop: Management and Administration of Education Abroad Programs
NAFSA Annual Conference, May 25, 2003, Salt Lake City, UT
Dimensions of Culture University of Texas System Intercultural Leadership Retreat. March 1
– 2, 2003
Intercultural Development in Short Term Programs: Oxymoron or Opportunity? NAFSA
Annual Conference, May 30, 2002, San Antonio, TX
Foundations of International Education: Education Abroad Advising SECUSSA Institute in
Chicago, April 4 – 5, 2002 (workshop presenter)
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Assessing Study Abroad Outcomes in an Age of Accountability: Beyond Satisfaction
Surveys CIEE Annual Conference, November 3, 2001
Preparing Educators to Become International Educators CIEE Annual Conference,
November 2, 2001 Portland, OR, USA
Update on IES MAP and ICC Implementation IES Annual Conference, October 20, 2001
Chicago, IL USA
Customized Programming: Designing Intercultural Development into Faculty-led Short Term
Programs IES Annual Conference, October 20, 2001 Chicago, IL USA
Abroad and Beyond 21st Century Initiatives in International Education Comparative and
International Education Society, Washington D.C. March 14, 2001
Instruments for Assessing Intercultural Development Keynote address, Minnesota Monthly
Study Abroad Advisors, January 25, 2001 Macalester College, St. Paul, MN USA
Completing the Circle: Reentry for Successful Cross-Cultural Transitions CIEE Annual
Conference, November 10, 2000 Montreal, Canada
Best Practices in Intercultural Development IES Annual Conference, October 21, Chicago,
Illinois
International Education for Business Leaders Workshop for faculty at the Pamplin School of
Business, Virginia Polytechnic and University, October 17, 2000
Assessing Intercultural Development. GLCA, Annual General Meeting, September 22 – 23,
2000 Ann Arbor, MI USA
The EU for Foreigners; Simulating the Council of Ministers SIETAR Europa Congress, March
16, 2000 Brussels, Belgium
Making Your International Experience Work Santa Clara University, January 19, 2000 Santa
Clara, CA USA
Competencies for a Global Job Market The Michael F. Price School of Business, Oklahoma
University, November 14, 1999 Norman, OK USA
Implementing Health and Safety Practice in International Programs NAFSA Region V Annual
Meeting, November 6, 1999 Peoria, IL USA
Managing Student Expectations: The HOMR Model IES Annual Conference, October 15,
1999 Chicago, IL USA
Creating Intercultural Competencies: A Challenge for Study Abroad IES Annual Conference,
October 14, 1999 Chicago, IL USA
Developing Quality Study Abroad Programs IES Annual Conference, October 14, 1999
Chicago, IL USA
Intercultural Competence: Creating Value in Study Abroad IES Board of Trustees, June 20,
1999 Lake Forest, IL USA
Intercultural Competence Initiative: A Strategic Plan IES Board of Trustees, January 27,
1999 Chicago, IL USA
Experience Counts -- International Internships in London IES Board of Trustees, June 1998
Berlin, Germany
Personal Interests
Urban farming and its food, nature, soccer, international relations and exploration
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