Joe Potts, Ph.D.

Joe Potts is Associate Vice Provost for International Innovation, Development and Strategic Partnership. In this position, Joe works to build KU’s footprint internationally and leverage the University’s network of global engagement. He manages the development and maintenance of strategic international partnerships and models for the university, working with academic leadership in the pursuit of mutually beneficial collaborative relationships that are aligned with KU’s strategic priorities.

Prior to assuming this role, he served for three years as Associate Dean of International Programs at Purdue University, where he oversaw statutory and programmatic support for a population of over 9,000 international students and 1,000 visiting scholars. Dr. Potts helped Purdue restructure the international services area and worked with a team of colleagues to implement curricular and co-curricular strategies for building intercultural competence among Purdue students, faculty and staff.

Before his tenure at Purdue, Dr. Potts directed International Student and Scholar Services at KU for 14 years. Joe previously lived and worked for several years in both China and Japan, and consulted on development projects in Vietnam. He was a Rotary Foundation ambassador to Brazil and served as a Department of State mission representative in Saudi Arabia. He has published work on understandings of culture in education, the role of ethics in leadership, and the development of models for measuring the impact of international students on their host campuses. His teaching resume includes English language, leadership studies, and undergraduate and graduate courses in philosophy.