New AVP for international affairs

Miguel E. Ayllon Ph.D., a leader in designing and managing international engagement programs at large, multi-campus research-intensive public institutions, joined Indiana University as the new associate vice president for international affairs on September 1. Ayllon succeeds Shawn Reynolds, who will retire after 26 years at Indiana University working in various capacities in OVPIA, and has been responsible for international partnerships since 2008.

In this new role, Ayllon will shape the development of strategy and innovation across all areas of international affairs at IU Global with primary responsibility for the International Partnerships Office, Global Gateway Network, and strengthening engagement with the IU Alumni Association’s international chapters.

A native of Lima, Peru, Ayllon came to the United States in 1999 as an international student. While learning English as a second language, he successfully completed high school and navigated the U.S. higher education system as an international student. Ayllon said he hopes his background as a native Latin American puts him in a unique position to contribute to the expansion of IU’s partnerships and programs in the region.

He comes from the University of Missouri – Columbia where he has worked for more than 15 years and most recently served as Executive Director for International Partnerships and Study Abroad. In this role, he led the central study abroad office, managed relationships with international partner universities, and advised the vice provost for international programs on relationship priorities. During his tenure in Missouri, the College of Engineering set a record for study abroad enrollment and forged its first academic collaborations with Latin America.

These experiences position Ayllon to quickly make significant contributions to advance international aspects of IU’s service to the state of Indiana and beyond. He will foster institutional research and connect leaders across departments and campuses to advance IU’s mission of building collaborations and uncovering new solutions that improve lives in Indiana and around the globe. An exciting aspect of his role will be coordinating international travel for IU President Pamela Whitten and high-level delegations to ensure that IU is establishing long-term business plans and strategic objectives with the goal of increasing the depth of institutional partnerships, alumni engagement, and international development opportunities.

“The mission of IU Global is supported by our vast network of international institutions, gateway offices, and communities and alumni around the world. I am absolutely thrilled that Miguel Ayllon is joining our team to lead these essential efforts in alignment with the university’s strategic priorities,” said Interim Vice President for International Affairs Hilary Kahn. “I also want to sincerely thank Shawn Reynolds for his decades of commitment to this work and for his deep contributions to IU’s global identity, here in Indiana and beyond.”

Ayllon holds bachelor’s degrees in business administration and communication arts (Bryan College), earned his Master of Public Administration (East Tennessee State University), and his doctorate in educational leadership and policy analysis (University of Missouri). He has also taught courses on global and cross-cultural leadership to undergraduate and graduate students.