Debra Leahy, Ed.D

Dr. Debra Leahy is the Associate Provost for Global Affairs and Professor of Global Management at the University of New England (UNE), where she leads the university’s strategic internationalization efforts across its Maine campuses and its Tangier, Morocco campus. Previously, Dr. Leahy served as Associate Vice President for International Education and Engagement at California State University, Fullerton, the largest campus in the CSU system. Prior to that, she was Dean of International Engagement at Southern New Hampshire University, where she led international strategy and managed instructional sites in Vietnam and Malaysia. Dr. Leahy holds a doctorate in international higher education. Her research focuses on transnational higher education, with particular emphasis on glocalization and the development of equitable, mutually beneficial international partnerships. Her work explores how institutions can design transformative global strategies that are responsive to local contexts and needs, advancing both institutional goals and global good.