John D. Heyl, director of the International Center at the University of Missouri, has been named executive director of international programs at Old Dominion.

Heyl’s appointment is effective June 1 and concludes a national search. He succeeds JoAnn McCarthy, who headed the center for seven years before resigning last August to accept a deanship at the University of South Florida.

At Missouri, Heyl implemented the school’s global scholars program to improve its international undergraduate curriculum. He also transformed the university’s study abroad office into a more comprehensive effort, and led an international alumni-based recruitment effort that turned around several years of decline in international student enrollment.

In addition, Heyl led three Title VI projects in the past 10 years and has managed and/or facilitated more than $4 million in external funding in international education at Missouri. Previously, Heyl worked at Illinois Wesleyan University, where he was director of the social science division, history department chair, coordinator of the Woodrow Wilson Visiting Fellows Program and history professor.

Heyl earned his doctorate in European history and international economics from Washington University in St. Louis and his bachelor’s degree in history from Stanford.

Old Dominion’s Office of International Programs is responsible for providing leadership for the development, implementation and evaluation of the international dimension of the university. It serves as a catalyst for institutional movement toward a more diverse campus by stimulating and coordinating activities, performing administrative functions and providing information, guidance and services.