Erika Wilkens

Erika Wilkens is the Assistant Provost and Executive Director of Syracuse Abroad at Syracuse University. She brings extensive international, academic, and administrative experience to this role.12

Professional Background

Dr. Wilkens has a long history with Syracuse University:

• She was appointed to her current position in 2018.4
• Previously, she served as the founding Director of Syracuse University's study abroad center in Istanbul, Turkey from 2010 to 2017.12
• After returning from Turkey, she held various global engagement leadership positions at Syracuse before her current appointment.1

Academic Experience

Prior to joining Syracuse University, Dr. Wilkens held several academic positions:

• Assistant Professor at Okan University in Istanbul
• Instructor at Sabanci University in Istanbul
• Instructor at New School University's Graduate Program in International Affairs in New York City12

She has also worked as a research consultant for the World Bank and as a visiting faculty member on a Soros Foundation Civic Education Project at universities in Lithuania.1

Education

Dr. Wilkens has a strong educational background:

• Ph.D. in Political Science from Syracuse University
• Master's degree in International Development from University of Calgary, Canada
• Master's degree in International Relations from Lancaster University, United Kingdom
• Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Calgary12

Current Role

As Assistant Provost and Executive Director of Syracuse Abroad, Dr. Wilkens is responsible for:

• Overseeing all aspects of the day-to-day operations of Syracuse Abroad, including academic programming, personnel, compliance, budget, and real estate
• Developing long-term strategic plans for the program
• Advancing the University's vision and commitment to internationalization
• Expanding opportunities for students to pursue global study, research, and internships2

Her LinkedIn username is erika-wilkens-79345857.3