Please join the Office of International Education, Diversity, and Inclusion (OIEDI) in wishing Kallan Picha a fond farewell as she leaves UP to accept a position with one of the longest-serving study abroad organizations in the United States, Semester at Sea. Since Kallan joined the University in the summer of 2019 she has brought her considerable experience, enthusiasm, and student-focused approach to her role as Director of Studies Abroad. Since then, she has revitalized the study abroad application process, introduced new mechanisms for short-term study abroad programs, and developed collaborative relationships throughout the UP community.
Kallan has led our study abroad students through the COVID-19 pandemic with care and professionalism. Beyond her emergency triage and evacuation, she communicated with concerned parents at the time of evacuation and worked closely and professionally with colleagues abroad and on campus to navigate the repercussions of our cancelled study abroad programs. Most recently, she also served in the Shepard Academic Resources Center overseeing the first-year workshops. We will miss working with Kallan, but our diminished spirits will be buoyed knowing that the move will be a good one for her. Gute Reise Kallan!
For more information contact Eduardo Contreras, international education, diversity, and inclusion, at contrera@up.edu.