Siles is New Executive Director of International Programs

After an extensive national search, Marcelo Siles has been selected to be Old Dominion University's executive director of international programs. He has been executive director and dean of international programs at Northern Michigan University since 2007.

Siles served previously as co-director of the Social Capital Initiative and as senior research associate at Michigan State University's Julian Samora Institute. He has also held a number of consultant and advisory positions in Bolivia. His appointment at ODU will be effective Feb. 6, 2012.

ODU Provost Carol Simpson said Siles places a strong emphasis on linking international programs with academic programs and his experience in grant writing, developing study abroad programs and service-learning activities equips him well to lead the further internationalization of ODU. He holds a Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Michigan State as well as first degrees in both engineering and economics.

"Dr. Siles brings to ODU considerable experience in international initiatives. I look forward to working with him as he leads the Office of International Programs in its alignment with the University's Strategic Goal to expand international connections," Simpson added.

In the 1980s, Siles served as a project manager and development loan advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development in La Paz, Bolivia; as an under secretary in Bolivia's Ministry of Finance; and as an advisor to the Economic and Financial Commission of Bolivia's Senate.

The new director was chosen from a pool of 109 applicants. The search committee was headed by Chandra de Silva, special assistant to the provost, and Judy Bowman, assistant vice president for undergraduate studies.