Jeff Whitehead, who spent 17 years as Director of the Global Experiences Office (GEO, previously Study Abroad), has returned to Pitt after a year working with Meta’s virtual and alternate reality space to a role that is charting a course through Pitt's global experiences. In his role as Executive Director for Global Engagement, Jeff oversees GEO, the Nationality and Heritage Rooms, the Office of International Services, Global Risk, Health, Safety, and Security, Global Partnerships, and Global Operations and Services. In addition to his over seventeen years serving within UCIS, Jeff is also a three-time graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, with a Bachelor's and two Master's degrees.
You’ve followed an interesting path to your current role. What brings you back to Pitt? How did you end up where you are now?
I returned to Pitt so that I could continue working in a field a love, global education. I deeply missed my UCIS family, University friends, and making an impact on the lives of the students, faculty, and staff we serve.
I ended up where I am now due to serendipity. I began an internship in the study abroad office as a senior in college, was hired first as a temporary summer employee, then graduate intern, then full-time employee in the semesters to follow. By 2004, I was the newly-minted resource area coordinator. I became director in 2009 and I spent the next 13 years at the helm, rebuilding the office from study abroad to Global Experiences through COVID.
By 2022, a lot of the leadership in our field had been poached or had burned out and left the field. In hindsight, although it was challenging to see in real time, I was burned out as well. When a headhunter came calling, I was flattered and excited about the opportunity. I enjoyed it but I found myself longing for a content area and people that I care deeply about. So when this opportunity arose, it was a no-brainer.
What does a typical day in the office (in person or remote) look like for you?
One of the things I love most about global education is that no two days are the same. I am very blessed to have an even wider mandate than I did in study abroad / GEO, so I am very excited to be working across an even wider swatch of global education and services. I do spend a lot of time in meetings, networking, and helping to shape and reshape structures and processes and policy to make the experience for both our staff and constituents as seamless and easy as possible.
What’s the accomplishment at Pitt that you’re proudest of?
Nothing that I have accomplished is my own. I share the credit with all of the incredible people I’ve had the pleasure of working with over time. If I’ve done anything myself, it is just ensuring that individuals have enough runway and support. Navigating COVID and rebuilding GEO in its wake was likely my proudest moment. In 2020, we were in full survival mode, and it gave us an opportunity to think creatively as we worked to rebuild and emerge from our industry’s collapse.
However, I am also very proud of the contributions that we made to winning the Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization.
What would you say is the most exciting project you’re working on now?
I’m very excited to be working with units that were less familiar. I’m very excited to imagine how we provide global services for the University, and I’m spending a considerably amount of time working through structures, processes, and protocols to make that experience better.
What’s one fun fact that people might not know about you?
At one point, this was a very, very little-known secret, but I have been an active member of the horror and heavy metal communities since I was a teenager. Once upon a time, I played guitar in a metal band, but I quickly turned my attention to writing in college. I have several horror films optioned and in various phases of development as well as an upcoming graphic novel and fictional podcast (zombie stories!) that will release late this year or early next.
What is your favorite thing about UCIS and working here?
The people, hands down. It is an incredible group of individuals that come together to form my favorite unit in the University. I am deeply thankful for being able to return and provide energy, optimism, and even a little humor to the mix along the way!
Edited for clarity and length.