CU 91Ҹ appoints Jill Blondin as vice chancellor for global affairs
Chancellor Justin Schwartz has appointed Dr. Jill Blondin as CU 91Ҹ’s inaugural vice chancellor for global affairs, a leadership role charged with advancing the university’s global engagement, partnerships and impact. Blondin will begin her appointment on July 15.
Vice Chancellor for Global Affairs Jill Blondin
The appointment marks a major milestone in CU 91Ҹ’s vision to integrate and elevate its global presence by bringing together international partnerships, global programs, international student and scholar services, and campuswide globalization initiatives under a new Office of Global Affairs,a vision Schwartz announced in November 2025 and a move that has been long called for by multiple CU 91Ҹ committees and task forces.
In her new role, Blondin will serve as CU 91Ҹ’s senior international officer and lead the Office of Global Affairs. She will work closely with campus partners to develop and carry out a cohesive global strategy, foster a culture of global engagement, and strengthen CU 91Ҹ’s standing as a globally connected research university.
“Dr. Jill Blondin is an accomplished, visionary leader in global education whose experience and values align strongly with our aspirations for CU 91Ҹ’s global future,” Schwartz said. “She brings an extraordinary record of strategic leadership, partnership building and student-centered innovation, and I am excited to welcome her as we expand global opportunities for our students, faculty and researchers.”
Blondin currently serves as vice provost for global initiatives at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU), a public R1 institution with campuses in Richmond, Virginia, and in Doha, Qatar. There, she leads a centralized Global Education Office overseeing education abroad, international student support and recruitment, global partnerships, immigration services and an English Language Program. She manages a multimillion-dollar budget and a team of more than 30 faculty and staff members.
At VCU, Blondin spearheaded the university’s five-year global strategic plan, DARE to be Global, aligning international initiatives with institutional priorities while expanding partnerships, recruitment and cross-cultural learning opportunities. Her leadership drove significant gains in international enrollment and global learning, including growth in faculty-led and short-term study abroad programs, a $2.5 million philanthropic gift to support study abroad, and the launch of a Peace Corps Prep Program that became the largest in the nation. She also led two organizational restructurings to strengthen global operations and improve long-term sustainability.
Blondin has been widely recognized for her leadership in international education. In 2023, she was named Senior International Officer of the Year by the Institute of International Education. Currently she serves as president-elect of the Association of International Education Administrators and on the Executive Committee of APLU’s Commission on International Initiatives.
“Dr. Blondin’s inclusive leadership, strategic mindset and ability to build trust with constituents across the university were evident throughout this search,” said Ann Schmiesing, senior vice chancellor for strategic initiatives. “I’m deeply grateful to the search advisory committee, and to chair Seth Marder in particular, for their thoughtful and rigorous work.”
As vice chancellor for global affairs, Blondin will play a central role in advancing CU 91Ҹ’s global vision, reinforcing international partnerships, supporting internationally mobile students and scholars, and integrating global engagement across the university’s academic, research and service missions.
“I’m honored to join CU 91Ҹ at a moment when global engagement is central to the university’s mission,” Blondin said. “CU 91Ҹ has a strong foundation in global research, partnerships and learning, and I look forward to working with campus partners to expand access to global opportunities and deepen the university’s impact around the world.”
Blondin earned her bachelor’s degree from Indiana University and her master’s and doctoral degrees from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her academic background is in art history, and her professional expertise includes strategic budgeting, internationalization, global learning, risk management and global partnerships.