VIU Welcomes New Associate Vice-President, International Education

Vancouver Island University (VIU) is pleased to announce that Carolyn Russell has been appointed Associate Vice-President, International Education. In this key role, Russell has responsibility for the overall leadership, oversight, and strategic vision of VIU’s Department of International Education. As the principal leader of this department, she will ensure VIU’s internationalization objectives are met with responsibility for recruitment and admissions of international students, the promotion of student success and the provision of relevant supports for international students, and advancing global engagement through the coordination of international activities among the Faculties, including Education Abroad, and faculty and student exchanges.

“I look forward to living and working on the beautiful traditional lands of the Snuneymuxw, Quw’utsun, Snaw-naw-as, Tla’amin and Qualicum First Nations. I am excited to foster connections, and build relationships with communities that benefit and further the VIU Strategic Plan, and internationalization strategy.” 

Russell brings almost 25 years of experience in international education across the post-secondary sector in BC to this role. Previous to her VIU appointment, Russell was the Executive Director, Global Engagement at the University of Victoria (UVic) where she was responsible for coordinating and supporting the University’s Strategic Framework and International Plan. Previous to this position, she was at the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) in the role of Director, Student Success and International Operations. 

She holds a graduate degree in Public Administration from UVic (2016) and a bachelor degree in International Studies from UNBC (1999). Russell received the BC Council for International Education (BCCIE) Award for Service Excellence in International Education in 2012 and has served as a member of the Board of Directors for the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) since 2019. In addition, Russell was a member of the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer (BCCAT) from 2016 to 2021.

“It is an honor and privilege to lead VIU’s future international strategy during a time of unprecedented challenges in the international education sector globally. I look forward to working with the talented VIU international team to continue to bring VIU to the world, and the world to VIU.” 

When she is not working to forward internationalization objectives in a professional capacity, you can find Russell spending time with her family who live across Vancouver Island, from Campbell River to Victoria.  In addition, she is a dog lover and spin bike enthusiast. 

Carolyn Russell started her new role with VIU on January 31, 2022.