Chicago — October 7, 2016 —

Each year, IES Abroad, the leading not-for-profit study abroad organization, recognizes a study abroad professional with the Volunteer of the Year Award.

This year, IES Abroad proudly honored Dr. Michael Jordan, Director of the Center for Global and Intercultural Study at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.

The Volunteer of the Year Award recognizes an individual who has supported and strengthened the mission of the study abroad field through extraordinary volunteer efforts. Awardees are determined by their involvement in and leadership of the various organizations that serve the study abroad field, including IES Abroad and its various committees and councils. The award also recognizes and thanks the award recipient’s school for providing the opportunity to serve in various capacities. The awardee is chosen by the institutional member representatives at IES Abroad.

Jordan received his B.A. in Spanish from Carleton College, an M.A. in Hispanic Studies from Northwestern University, and a Ph.D. in Spanish from Emory University.

He has been committed to the field for close to 20 years. He spent 10 years as a professor of Spanish and Latin American literature in the department of foreign languages and literatures at Lafayette College. During that time he simultaneously directed 5 study abroad programs. He became the Director of the Office of International and Off-Campus Education at Lafayette College in 2008. He has held his current position as Director of the Center for Global and Intercultural Study at the University of Michigan since 2012.

Michael Green, Associate Vice President of Recruiting and College Relations at IES Abroad, said: “I’ve had the pleasure of working with Michael throughout my career. His dedication to education and study abroad is both outstanding and inspiring. He continuously strives to ensure study abroad programs meet the highest academic standards and quality, and that exceptional work is being done in the field to uphold those standards.”

From reviewing curricula to attending site visits and personally meeting with directors and representatives, he fully immerses himself in the study abroad experience to help identify the most robust and rewarding programs available to his students.

Jordan is also active outside the University of Michigan campus as a member of NAFSA and the Forum. He has also been very active in IES Abroad, having served as Chair of the Institutional Membership Committee and is currently a member of the IES Abroad Academic Council.