IES Abroad CEO Named One Of Crain's Chicago Business' Notable Women Executives Over 50

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Apr 29, 2019, 15:10 ET

CHICAGO, April 29, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- It was announced today that Mary M. Dwyer, Ph.D. CEO and President of IES Abroad, a leading not-for-profit study abroad and internship organization based in Chicago, has been recognized as part of Crain's "Most Notable Women Executives Over 50" list.

Dr. Dwyer is included amongst 75 other exceptional C-level female executives who are leading successful businesses across industries in Chicago.

Dr. Dwyer said: "Careers can be defined by individual wins, but in my more than 23 years at IES Abroad, the greatest successes have been collaborative. My colleagues and I are dedicated to the fight for a better future through study abroad, and the work it takes to make it a reality. We've greatly increased the number of students we send abroad each year, but there's still work to be done to ensure as many students as possible have the opportunity to broaden their worldviews, become empathetic global citizens, and be the leaders in a globalized workforce to create meaningful change."

IES Abroad has grown to become the premier study abroad program provider, developing and creating hundreds of new jobs for Chicagoans and others throughout the U.S. and worldwide. Today, IES Abroad includes four business lines: IES Abroad, IES Internships, IES Abroad Customized and Faculty-Led, and The Study Abroad Foundation.

Of the 140,000+ students whom have studied internationally with IES Abroad since its founding in 1950, 95,000 were educated during Dr. Dwyer's presidency. With a total of more than 400 study abroad programs in 85 locations worldwide, the organization creates authentic global education opportunities for more than 10,000 students annually (a 729% increase during Dr. Dwyer's tenure), places over 1,000 international students in U.S. colleges, and provides student internships in 13 countries.

To increase access to study abroad experiences for all students, Dr. Dwyer initiated the highly successful Initiative to Diversify Education Abroad at IES Abroad, which has resulted in increasing the number of underrepresented students attending IES Abroad programs by 77% within the past 10 years.

She also developed the IES Abroad Advancement department responsible for raising funds for need-based and merit-based scholarships for students. IES Abroad currently provides nearly $6 million in financial aid and scholarships for its students.

Dr. Dwyer has launched numerous innovative projects at IES Abroad positioning the organization as a key thought leader in the field. One such project, the IES Abroad MAP, established standards for IES Abroad programs and formed the basis for standards for the entire field. Additionally, Dr. Dwyer was one of the lead researchers on a 50-year longitudinal impact study conducted by IES Abroad to measure the life-long impact of study abroad on students.

In addition to serving as CEO of IES Abroad, Dr. Dwyer has served, among others, on the Abraham Lincoln Commission on Study Abroad (U.S. Presidential Commission), the Rhodes Scholars Selection Committee (Chair - Midwest), the Arthur J. Schmitt Foundation (Board), and the Forum on Education Abroad (Founding Member).

Founded in 1950, IES Abroad is a not-for-profit academic consortium of more than 260 top-tier American colleges and universities, with more than 240 additional partner universities worldwide. IES Abroad provides premier study abroad and internship programs around the world through IES Abroad, IES Internships, IES Abroad Customized & Faculty-Led Programs, and The Study Abroad Foundation. With a total of more than 400 study abroad programs in 85 locations worldwide, the organization creates authentic global education opportunities for more than 10,000 students annually. IES Abroad has more than 140,000 alumni who have benefited from studying on IES Abroad programs since its inception, and offers more than $5 million in scholarships and financial aid. Learn more at www.IESabroad.org.

SOURCE IES Abroad