Professor Amita Chudgar, an expert in the field of international and comparative education, has been appointed to interim associate dean and full-time director of the Office for International Studies in Education (OISE).
Chudgar, who joined the Michigan State University College of Education in 2010, serves as a professor of education policy. She has explored how factors like home life, school environment, and community surroundings affect the educational opportunities and success of children in places with limited resources. Through examining diverse, large-scale, national, regional and cross-national datasets, she studies the role of policy-relevant variables in ensuring equal educational opportunities for disadvantaged children.
“We are thrilled to announce Amita Chudgar’s appointment as interim associate dean,” said Dean and MSU Research Foundation Professor Jerlando F. L. Jackson. “Her wealth of experience, dedication and commitment to international education make her an invaluable addition to our leadership team. We look forward to the positive impact she will undoubtedly bring to our academic community.”
Her widely published research has focused on various aspects of education, including issues related to global education policy, access to quality education and the impact of educational interventions on socio-economic development. In 2018, she received a $1 million grant for her project, “Understanding Marginalized Youth’s Secondary Education Experiences: A Mixed-Methods Study of Colombia, India, and Malawi.”
“Dr. Chudgar is a global citizen, and that is reflected in her research, teaching, and advising. She is respected by her peers and her students, and she approaches the work in a thoughtful and rigorous manner,” said Department of Educational Policy Chair Sheneka Williams. “Dr. Chudgar is well positioned to lead OISE, and I am proud that she is willing to accept this challenge on behalf of the college and her own professional growth.”
She succeeds Associate Dean Lynn Paine, who held the role since 2015 and will be retiring at the end of 2024. “Amita is an amazing colleague who will bring great knowledge, skills, and experience to the position,” said Paine. ” Her dedication to teaching, research, and international outreach, coupled with her analytical and creative talents, along with her generous collaborative spirit and remarkable organizational skills, collectively make her an outstanding choice for this position."