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K-State Today

August 7, 2013

Marcellus Caldas selected as the director of international research and faculty

Submitted by Mary K. Pyle

MARCELLUS CALDAS PHOTO

Marcellus Caldas, assistant professor of geography, is the new director of international research and faculty collaborations. His appointment was announced by the office of international programs. The office conducted an internal search seeking qualified applicants for this position, which will report to Marcelo Sabates, interim associate provost for international programs.

Sabates said that this new position will maximize faculty opportunities to include interdisciplinary international research and grant elements; seek new international opportunities for faculty activities; track and document faculty global endeavors to include travel, conferences and sabbaticals; and move forward engagement for the K-State 2025 Internationalization Strategic Plan.

"Our institutional ambition expressed in Vision 2025 and the great recent success in terms of international institutional partnerships requires a coordinated effort so faculty members across all colleges can be engaged at the highest level," Sabates said. "We had a pool of highly qualified candidates and Dr. Marcellus Caldas is the ideal catalyst to make this happen."

"I am very honored to be selected," Caldas said. "I accepted this position because I think international research collaboration has become a key element in successful globalization strategies by many top universities and K-State is working aggressively to increase its international engagement vital to achieving the goals established in the 2025 Plan."

"Marcellus' enthusiasm for teaching and international opportunities at K-State resulted in several study abroad courses in collaboration with the Division of biology and department of English," Sabates said. "His dedication to international matters was evident in 2012, when he was recognized by the office of international programs and presented with the International Educator of the Year Award."

Caldas said, "I believe I can build upon the office of international program’s established initiatives and incorporate my various past experiences in research and working with scholars and global academic institutions. I have worked with partners in Brazil and Paraguay developing collaborative grants with Michigan State University, Federal University of Bahia and Federal University of Parát, the U.S.-Brazil Higher Education Consortia Program supported by the U.S. Department of Education. I continue to maximize relationships with the National Science Foundation and K-State departments."

Caldas came to Kansas State University in 2008. He will retain a part-time teaching appointment in the geography department and begin his assignment as director of international research and faculty collaborations in the office of international programs this month.