Kyla Pennie is bringing a world of experience to Brock.

As the University’s new Associate Director, Internationalization and Support Services, she will work to strengthen Brock’s global connections and ensure students from around the world feel welcomed and supported in achieving their academic goals.

Pennie takes on the new role Monday, July 26, joining Brock from Niagara College, where she worked for the past 21 years, first as an International Development Officer and, more recently, as Manager, Global Projects.

Continuing Brock’s growth in internationalization, including the integration of diverse experiences of the campus community into learning opportunities, is a key component of the University’s Institutional Strategic Plan.

In addition to focusing on fulfilling this aspect of the Strategic Plan, Pennie will work to develop corresponding support services and global partnerships. She will also foster international learning and mobility services and opportunities that meet the needs of students and scholars alike.

“As a longtime international educator, I am excited to develop global partnerships that will support Brock students and faculty to become increasingly globally engaged, both here in Niagara and around the world,” she said.

From her first work-abroad experience in 1991, Pennie knew she would dedicate her career to international education.

“I have a thirst for lifelong learning, and I continue to be inspired to travel, teach and learn within the global classroom,” she said.

Her experience at Niagara College is highlighted by her leadership in developing global learning opportunities for faculty and students in Asia, the Caribbean and Latin America, and bringing their newfound knowledge and perspectives back to share with the campus community.

“Her demonstrated leadership experience as an internationalization strategist and global project manager along with her commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion and decolonization will serve to enhance Brock’s internationalization efforts,” said Camille Rutherford, Vice-Provost, Strategic Partnerships and International.

Pennie also spent time earlier in her career as an International Recruitment Officer for Loyalist College, an instructor for Brock’s Department of Geography and Tourism Studies and for Niagara College, and as an ESL instructor in Japan.

“Her experience has provided her with the knowledge and understanding needed to support the success of international students throughout their time at Brock,” Rutherford said.

In 2019, Pennie experienced Brock’s global learning programming first-hand, working with the Faculty of Education on a global UNESCO-UNEVOC ICT project and travelling with students to Grenada.

“I was inspired by the students’ commitment to the professional practice of global international education while at the same time enthusiastically waving the Brock flag as globally engaged students,” she said.

In her new role, Pennie will look to provide practical leadership in inclusive, comprehensive, experiential internationalization that produces tangible, meaningful results for Brock on the world stage while also contributing to long-term global equity and sustainable development goals.

“I hope to provide the Brock community with programming that institutionalizes a culture of global engagement, supporting the community as they chart their own global path through accessible global opportunities, partnerships and collaboration,” she said.