Vice Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs William Brustein has selected Kelechi Kalu as the next Associate Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs at Ohio State. Subject to approval by the Ohio State’s Board of Trustees, his appointment is effective July 1, 2012. Kalu is currently the director of the Center for African Studies and a professor of African American and African Studies at Ohio State. Dieter Wanner, the current Associate Provost, will retire at the end of June. Until then, he will continue to work with the Office of International Affairs to ensure a smooth transition in leadership.

"Kelechi is a highly accomplished scholar possessing tremendous passion for preparing students for the global challenges and opportunities of the 21st century," Brustein said. “The position of Associate Provost for Global Strategies and International Affairs is crucial to the success of Ohio State’s plans for internationalization and eminence, and Dieter has made considerable contributions to the internationalization of The Ohio State University during the past five years. I look forward to Kelechi continuing the course Dieter has established in support of the evolution of this global university.”

Kalu was a Korea Foundation Feld Research Award recipient and a visiting scholar at Ewha Womans University during the summer and fall quarters of 2011. He previously held faculty positions at the University of Denver, Connecticut College and the University of Northern Colorado.

He is currently serving as associate editor of African Social Science Review, and is a member of the International Screening Committee for the Social Science Research Council program on Global Conflicts and Security. A past president of the International Studies Association-Southwestern, Kalu is also the author of Economic Development and Nigerian Foreign Policy, recipient of African Scholars Research Board 2000 Excellence in Authorship award as well as a recipient of the Association of Third World Studies (ATWS) President’s 2004 Distinguished Leadership & Service Award.

Kalu earned a bachelor’s degree in political science and economics at the University of North Texas, a master’s degree in political science and international affairs from the University of Dayton, Dayton, Ohio and a doctorate in international studies from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver.

“It is a privilege for me to be a part of Ohio State’s efforts to achieve its goal of global preeminence through strategic internationalization in learning, discovery and engagement,” said Kalu. “I look forward to working with faculty and staff, helping Ohio State students navigate the complex global marketplace, and guiding those citizens from Ohio and abroad who desire to know, discover and engage the world.”