The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars today announced the addition of a new staff member to a newly formed executive position in the organization’s headquarters. Kelly Eaton, Ph.D. will assume the role as Senior Vice President/Chief Academic Officer (CAO) on September 17, 2012. The CAO will oversee the curriculum and performance of The Washington Center’s education programs. Kelly comes to the organization with a strong background in experiential learning at the university level.
“Our new Chief Academic Officer will serve as The Washington Center’s lead representative to the academic community,” said Mike Smith, president of The Washington Center. “For 37 years we’ve been extending the reach and efficacy of quality experiential learning opportunities. The new position will allow us to refine current programs, create new initiatives and continue to be the industry benchmark for experiential learning. We’re happy to have Kelly on board.”
“I’m thrilled to be joining The Washington Center as its Chief Academic Officer,” said Kelly Eaton. “One of the main lessons I have taken from my almost 25 years as a professor is that experiential education is profoundly transformative for students. By adding authenticity, depth and engagement to the traditional classroom setting, experiential opportunities have tremendous value for today’s students. The Washington Center has long been the leader in this area and I look forward to joining such a strong, dedicated and accomplished staff in planning for the future.”
Originally from California, Dr. Eaton was most recently the Assistant Provost for Experiential Learning and Student Success at Nebraska Wesleyan University in Lincoln, Nebraska. She was also the chair of the political science department and taught courses on China, Europe, and International Security and Law. In addition to Nebraska Wesleyan University, she has taught at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, Loyola Marymount University, The National Political University of Taiwan and the Hopkins-Nanjing Center for Chinese and American Studies in the People’s Republic of China. Throughout her career, she’s led and managed internship programs, service learning, global engagement initiatives and undergraduate research.
Kelly earned her Ph.D. in Political Science and her M.A. in International Affairs from George Washington University. She was a Fulbright grantee to Taiwan and was awarded the CASE/Carnegie Professor of the Year for her state in 2003.
About The Washington Center
The Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars is an independent, nonprofit organization that serves hundreds of colleges and universities in the United States and other countries by providing selected students challenging opportunities to work and learn in Washington, D.C., for academic credit. The largest program of its kind, The Washington Center has more than 50,000 alumni who have become leaders in numerous professions and nations around the world. It was established in 1975.
