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Philip Wainwright, longtime leader of Emory’s global initiatives, announces retirement
headshot of Philip Wainwright, vice provost for global strategy and initiatives, who is retiring after 27 years

After more than 27 years of leading Emory’s global outreach, Philip Wainwright, vice provost for global strategy and initiatives, has announced his plans to retire this summer.

Wainwright has focused much of his time at Emory on increasing the university's study abroad opportunities, fostering international partnerships and amplifying Emory’s global recognition.

“Philip has been integral in expanding Emory’s presence and impact abroad,” says Ravi V. Bellamkonda, provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. “With his guidance, Emory has significantly expanded its global footprint, facilitating invaluable connections for our students and faculty across numerous countries. His visionary leadership has cultivated strategic partnerships and opened Emory and our scholars to the world. I am deeply grateful for his service and dedication to our university.”

The Office of the Provost is launching a national search for a new vice provost for global engagement and services to succeed Wainwright, according to Bellamkonda (see sidebar).

Wainwright’s connection to Emory began in 1965 when his family moved to Atlanta from England so that his father could join the Candler School of Theology faculty. Wainwright later attended Emory, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history with a focus on international policy, before completing his doctorate at Stanford University.

Wainwright started his Emory career in 1996, joining the Emory College of Arts and Sciences to help establish the Center for International Programs Abroad — now International Education within the Office of Undergraduate Education — the university’s first study abroad office. Later as associate dean, he oversaw the center and launched the summer Emory Pre-College Program, immersing high school students in the academic and campus life of Emory. During his tenure in Emory College, Wainwright was responsible for the expansive growth of study abroad initiatives and summer programs, growing Emory’s pre-college program to one of the largest in the country.

“It is satisfying to know that I have had a role in enabling so many students to have the experience of another country and culture,” he says. “I have heard from many of those students over the years that those overseas experiences are tremendously important in shaping their futures and their outlook on the world and global issues.”

In 2013, Wainwright was appointed vice provost for global strategy and initiatives, leading the Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives (GSI) to maximize Emory’s global impact and expand international engagement opportunities. Wainwright was responsible for the development of Emory's global strategic plan and propelled the office to more broadly support the university’s goals, including developing geographic focal points, cultivating institutional partnerships and support networks in target countries and strengthening the university’s infrastructure in support of global work.

“This idea of building global partnerships is rooted in the core mission of the university,” he says. “It has been exciting, as a vice provost, to consider how these external relationships could be leveraged across the entire institution, whether it has to do with study abroad, health sciences or the humanities. I have had a rewarding career here, but nobody accomplishes anything by themselves. With a lot of great people here, we’ve been able to accomplish a lot.”


Search begins for Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Services 


The Office of the Provost has launched a national search for a Vice Provost for Global Engagement and Services to lead the Office of Global Strategy and Initiatives. The vice provost will focus on fostering purposeful global engagement opportunities on an institutional level and strengthening international support services for faculty, staff and students. 

This campus leader will oversee the university’s global programs, international student services, global research collaborations and faculty-led scholarship, collaborating closely with administrators, schools and academic units to offer mission- and priority-driven international programs and support services. It is anticipated that a qualified candidate will be selected this summer.

For questions or nominations, please contact Melissa Daly, associate vice provost for executive operations and strategy, at melissa.j.daly@emory.edu. 

View the job description.


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