Sydney Van Morgan has been recruited as the full-time faculty director of the International Studies Program, taking over the responsibilities of Julia Galan, current associate director of the International Studies Program. Morgan will begin in this role on July 1, following a move from Cornell University’s Institute for European Studies.
Galan informed undergraduates pursuing the major that her position was slated to be cut this summer in an email sent on Jan. 23.
“It is a real disappointment,” Galan wrote in the email. “I have enjoyed every minute of my time working together with you to shape a program that is not just about academics, but about a dynamic community. I was excited to continue building our program with more events, more speakers, more opportunities, but it is not meant to be.”
As associate director, Galan’s responsibilities are numerous. She advises over 300 undergraduate students on course selection, undergraduate research opportunities and study abroad programs. She works with affiliated departments on creating unique tracks and focus areas that allow students to pursue a double major or minor while gaining in-depth knowledge about internationally relevant topics. One such track, which awards students a second major in sociology, is the Global Social Change and Development (GSCD) track. Galan’s responsibilities also include organizing networking events, such as Maxie’s parties or taking students to New York for SAIS Alumni events, managing exclusive exchange programs with Sciences Po Paris and SAIS and working with the Office of Admissions on recruitment of prospective students.
Pier M. Larson, acting vice dean for the humanities and social sciences and a professor in the history department, talked about Van Morgan’s appointment in an email.
“We have been for some time seeking a full-time faculty director of the International Studies Program, parallel to the directors of the other interdisciplinary and interdepartmental majors,” Larson wrote.
Regarding the decision to terminate Galan’s current position, however, Larson declined to comment.
“We do not comment on personnel issues because they are private matters,” Larson wrote.
Galan, likewise, declined to comment.
The lack of an explanation for the changes in the International Studies Program has left many students surprised and uncertain of the program’s trajectory going forward.
Sophomore Rosie Grant, an International Studies major, expressed her strong reaction to the news in an email.
“Frankly, it’s both shocking and infuriating,” Grant wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “I’m kind of at a loss — this program has grown so much because of Julia, and the administration has offered no rationale behind eliminating her position.”
Shereen Shafi, an International Studies and Anthropology double major pursuing a SAIS BA/MA, agreed.
“Viewing it as a student who benefitted from the work she did, I can’t understand why they would want to fire or replace Julia,” Shafi wrote in an email to The News-Letter. “I’m shocked at their decision to terminate her position and I know most other students were as well.”
Grant perceives Galan’s role as invaluable to the International Studies program and described her experiences with Galan as consistently helpful.
“She’s one of a handful of administrators that truly cares about her students and their well-being,” Grant wrote.
She noted that she remembered meeting Galan while visiting the University during SOHOP, the Spring Open House and Overnight Program for accepted students.
“My mother was undeniably impressed by Julia’s poise and information,” Grant wrote. “She’s the face of one of the largest majors at Hopkins. Without her, I don’t see the IS program succeeding.”
Despite palpable skepticism and discontent surrounding the decision to terminate the associate director position, students and administration alike agree that Galan will be missed.
Larson expressed his and others’ gratitude for Galan’s work in an email.
“The leadership of the Krieger School of Arts and Sciences has been very appreciative, as we know the students are too, of the work that Julia Galan has done for the International Studies Program as a member of the staff over the last years,” he wrote.
Shafi agreed.
“She did so much to give life to the International Studies program,” Shafi wrote. “I know she’ll be missed.”
Galan, too, ultimately showed appreciation for her time spent at Hopkins in her email to students.
“Thank you for being such a wonderful group!” she wrote. “I’m proud of all of your accomplishments!”
