University Times

William I. Brustein, director of the University Center for International Studies (UCIS) since 2001, has accepted a position at the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign, effective January 2007. He will remain UCIS director through the fall term.

Brustein has been named associate provost for international affairs, director of international programs and studies, and professor of sociology, political science and history at Illinois.

At Pitt, Brustein holds appointments as professor of sociology, history and political science.

“I inherited a wonderful center from my predecessor, Burkart Holzner,” Brustein told the University Times this week. “I feel we were successful in building on that, especially with all we’ve done in the area of global studies: starting a global studies certificate program and increasing GAP (global academic partnership) grants to support interdisciplinary international research while working closely with the professional schools.”

UCIS awards about 1,500 certificates annually, up from 900 when Brustein arrived. He said UCIS has increased study abroad participation as well, growing from about 700 students to 1,100 a year. UCIS also coordinates a Bachelor of Philosophy program through the University Honors College, he noted.

“The great thing about Pitt is having the support of senior leadership, especially Provost [James] Maher and Chancellor [Mark] Nordenberg, who believe in and are committed to having international studies be an integral part of education in the 21st century,” Brustein said.

A search committee to identify Brustein’s successor is being formed.

—Peter Hart