Joel Ericson
Almaty
Summary
Dynamic leader with a proven track record in program coordination and stakeholder relationship management at IIE. Successfully spearheaded business development initiatives that expanded university partnerships by nearly 50%, while enhancing educational exchange programs across Eurasia through strategic proposal formulation and staff development. Core competencies include adaptability, exceptional interpersonal skills, and a strong work ethic, with a commitment to embracing new challenges.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Head of IIE/Steppe Global Education
Institute of International Education (IIE)
Almaty
04.2023 - Current
- Founder of Steppe Global Education in Almaty, Kazakhstan
- Played a key role in mobilizing the IIE cross-departmental initiative to “near shore” the work of IIE’s Eurasian Representative Office and the Fulbright Program Office in Russia by establishing a non-commercial entity in Kazakhstan
- Hired Staff and established office space in Almaty and spear-headed the effort to introduce IIE/Steppe Global Education to the US Embassy and US Consulate, the Kazakhstan Ministry of Science and Higher Education, and over fifteen universities in Kazakhstan
- Played a key role in developing IIE/Steppe Global Education’s winning proposal to administer the US Embassy-funded University Partnership Program and reenergizing the formerly bilateral program by launching a consortium model of organization of the Kazakhstan and US university partners
- The effort led to a nearly fifty percent increase in university partners thanks to the attractiveness to both US and Kazakhstan universities of the consortium model of organization which fosters a community of practice and the generation of collective goods for its members
Head of IIE/Russia
Institute of International Education
Moscow
04.2013 - 01.2024
- Provided oversight of all Fulbright operations in Russia, including recruitment, selection, orientation, financial oversight, staff training and development, program publicity, and alumni events
- Managed programming and financials, academic recruitment, personnel administration, institutional outreach, and public relations activities
- Led strategic planning, organizational innovation, and engagement with American and Russian academics, government officials, and non-profit and business leaders
- Demonstrated understanding of American and Russian society and culture, governing institutions, culture, geography, and educational systems
Regional Director
American Councils for International Education
Moscow
01.2002 - 12.2008
- Managed a network of American Councils offices with teams of US and Russian colleagues located in eight Russian cities; administered EducationUSA centers; and managed numerous ECA-funded programs, including FSA FLEX, UGRAD, Muskie, and Library of Congress Open World
Office Director
American Councils for International Education
St. Petersburg
01.1998 - 12.2002
- Provided oversight of regional office administering a portfolio of US Government-funded exchange programs
- Managed extensive program recruitment and alumni program development responsibilities
Education
Doctorate - Political Science, Comparative Politics of Industrial Nations
University of Toronto
Toronto, CanadaMaster of Philosophy - Soviet and East European Studies
University of Glasgow
Glasgow, United KingdomBachelor of Arts - Political Science, minors in History and Sociology
University of California at San Diego
San Diego, CASkills
- Program coordination
- Strategic proposal formulation
- Financial oversight
- Stakeholder relationship management
- Staff development
- Organizational innovation
Certification
- Leadership Essentials, Linkages.
- The Leadership Challenge Workshop and Facilitator Training, Sonoma Leadership Systems.
Awards
- Rotary International Fellowship to Scotland, 1986
- Toronto Open Fellowship at the University of Toronto, 1987-1992
- Comparative Property Rights Project, Pre-Doctoral Fellowship, University of Rochester, 1992
Accomplishments
- Twenty-two years of experience leading US Government-funded programs in the Russian Federation, including oversight of up to eight regional offices, more than 100 team members, and a portfolio of up to eight different USG programs.
- Five years of experience leading one Russian Corporate-funded program and raising funding for and leading two Russian Regional Government-funded programs.
- Led crisis management and restructuring for two organizations in Russia to cope with legal challenges relating to scope of work on three separate occasions: medical and psychological issues and emergencies requiring medical evacuation; pandemic-related evacuations of participants; and issues for participants raised by Russian authorities pertaining to visa violations.
- Interviewed more than 5,000 Russian Federation participants, including high school, university, and post-graduate students, scholars, professionals, and English language teachers in competitions for USG-funded programs.
Languages
- English, native
- Russian, fluent
Timeline
Head of IIE/Steppe Global Education
Institute of International Education (IIE)
04.2023 - Current
Head of IIE/Russia
Institute of International Education
04.2013 - 01.2024
Regional Director
American Councils for International Education
01.2002 - 12.2008
Office Director
American Councils for International Education
01.1998 - 12.2002
Doctorate - Political Science, Comparative Politics of Industrial Nations
University of Toronto
Master of Philosophy - Soviet and East European Studies
University of Glasgow
Bachelor of Arts - Political Science, minors in History and Sociology
University of California at San Diego
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