1. KEY QUALIFICATIONS:
Dr. Khan has more than two decades of experience in academic administration, including as
Director of International Relations and Associate Dean of the Graduate School at the
University of Massachusetts Amherst. Khan is a highly recognized administrator who has
achieved excellence in developing innovative multidisciplinary degree programs and
advancing faculty research and international educational collaborations. Her leadership led to
new areas of inquiry and increased academia‐industry and academia‐government
collaborations brought new sources of federal and private funding to the university. Khan is
well recognized for her exceptional leadership in developing sustainable international
partnerships especially with leading universities in Brazil, India, China, Pakistan, Central
Asia, and the Middle East. She has served as an advisor to the Qafqaz University,
Azerbaijan, and various universities in Pakistan in enhancing faculty research competencies
and building global partnerships. Khan’s research focuses on politics of education in
developing countries; education policy and planning; program development and
implementation; gender issues; and the role of education in bringing a peaceful resolution to
the areas of conflict. Her Doctoral Dissertation is on ‘The Role of Education in a Historically
Challenging and Politically Complex Environment: The Response of Public Universities to
the September 11 Attack. She is a recipient of many distinguished awards and honors
including the University of Massachusetts Amherst Outreach Grant Award for establishing
an Institute for the Study of Global Islam 2006; Chancellor’s Community, Diversity and
Social Justice Award 1997; Chancellor’s Citation Award for Distinguished Service 1995; and
Fulbright Scholar Award, 1992.

2. NIGAR J. KHAN
Residence: 166 Wildflower Drive, Amherst, MA 01002
Email: nkhan@ipo.umass.edu
Telephone: 413-253-7257
Nationality: U.S. citizen
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EDUCATION
Ed. D. Education Policy, Research, and Administration University of Massachusetts Amherst,
2012
M. Ed. International Education, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1975
M. A. Political Science, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, 1970
_______________________________________________________________________
PROFESSIONAL POSITIONS
University of Massachusetts Amherst, Massachusetts
Director, International Relations, International Programs Office, 2012-2013
Associate Dean of the Graduate School, 2003–2012
Assistant Dean of the Graduate School, 1995-2003
Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School, 1983-
1995
ADMINISTRATIVE /PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Director, International Relations, International Programs Office, 2012–2013
I was responsible for advancing the Universty international programs offices’ efforts in
internationalizing the campus; educating students for global citizenship; creating opportunities
for international research and educational collaborations; increasing institution’s international
visibility; and establishing connections with international alumni and enhancing external funding
sources. Within this broad international scope I:
• Broadened the scope and vision of academic programs by creating international
educational and research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students;
• Created a campus-wide regulatory framework (an umbrella policy document) for
establishing an international dual degree program. The policy document allowed
academic departments and faculty to develop their own individualized bachelor, masters
and doctoral dual degrees with international partner institutions;

3. • Conducted university-wide surveys to assess the status of internationalization at the
University by examining faculty interest, commitment and support within the
departments and deanships;
• Brought together faculty and administrators from diverse disciplines to establish campus-
wide task forces aimed to assess scholarly activities and faculty interest in broadening the
scope of international collaborations in a particular country or region;
• Implemented several programs and initiatives to facilitate university international
partnerships and collaborations between academic programs and their counterparts in
Brazil, India, and China.
• Assisted in formulating university’s international crisis and emergency response and
resolution, including risk management guidelines and best practices.
• Provided leadership role in developing international partnerships with major universities
in Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries;
• Assisted deans and department heads/chairs in developing inter-college coordination to
create multidisciplinary international collaborations;
• Enhanced the university funding opportunities with international alumni and external
funding agencies;
• Coordinated and publicized special initiatives and events;
• Served on the University International Studies Council, and other related councils and
committees;
• Attended professional national and international forums and conferences.
Associate Graduate Dean, Graduate School, 2003–2012
At the University of Massachusetts Graduate School (73 departments, approximately 1300 full
time faculty, 6,000 graduate students, annual direct expenditure budget of approximately $3.75
million), I served as Graduate Associate Dean from 2003-2012. In that capacity, I provided
leadership for the continual advancement of the quality, reputation, and direction of the graduate
school; exercised overall review of graduate programs; formulated implemented and monitored
academic policies and guidelines. More specifically, I led the graduate school’s efforts in
developing multi-disciplinary approaches to teaching and scholarship; and strengthening the
international component of graduate studies.
General Administration
• Formulated, implemented, and monitored graduate school’s policies and guidelines for
curriculum enhancement, program development, and academic policy review and
compliance;
• Represented graduate school on academic standard curriculum committee of the
graduate council of the faculty senate for course review and approval;
• Led institutional accreditation self-studies;
• Oversaw enrollment management targeting student recruitment, enrollment, success,
growth, retention, and graduation;
• Revised and set-up new policies and procedures targeting improvement of Ph.D.
completion rates;

4. • Facilitated graduate students opportunities for professional development through projects
such as Preparing Future Faculty (PFF), which integrated preparation of undergraduate
student learning;
• Designed and developed the campus-wide regulatory policy document for an accelerated
master’s degree option aimed at encouraging undergraduate students with top academic
records to remain at the University for graduate degree programs;
• Provided direction and oversight for graduate academic advising and assessment;
• Served on the University graduate council, and graduate school grievance committee;
• Represented graduate school on the research and international councils as well as on
national, and international committees;
• Coordinated and publicized special events;
• Developed and disbursed budget for program development.
Multi-disciplinary Approaches and Projects
• Provided vision and leadership in developing interdisciplinary graduate degree and
certificate programs. These efforts resulted in an approved graduate certificate protocol
that led to the development of 12 graduate certificates, six graduate concentrations, and
four research centers. The interdisciplinary approach helped UMass Amherst to remain
timely, competitive and move forward to prepare students to meet the growing demands
for essential knowledge and skills;
• Developed multidisciplinary collaborations, which assisted in opening up new areas of
inquiry such as clean and alternative energy research, which eventually led to several
academia‐industry and academia‐government collaborations. Such initiatives helped the
university to tap new sources of federal funding, strengthened ties with industry and
increased funding for strategically positioned research programs;
• Provided leadership in organizing a series of academic and cultural events focused on art,
architecture, music and dance as well as the regions ‘geopolitical histories, including:
o The Grateful Dead in Music, Culture, and Memory;
o Art of Conflict Transformation in the North of Ireland/Northern Ireland with
particular attention to the role played by public murals in the transition to peace;
o DuBois New England Roots/Connections; and Diverse Cultures and Histories of
Native Americans of New England.
Global Strategies
• Provided leadership in advancing the graduate school’s international research and
educational programs;
• Through the efficient and economical use of faculty assets, developed new global
educational and research opportunities;
• Developed sustainable international partnerships with leading universities in 36
countries including Brazil, India, and China, as well as in the Middle East and Central
Asia;
• reviewed and executed approximately102 memoranda of understanding, ensuring
appropriate standards for strategic research and educational agreements in
conjunction with legal counsel, and the International Programs Office;

5. • Created new opportunities for graduate and undergraduate programs. Two most
rewarding initiatives included Vietnam and Iraq Education Fellowship Programs that
brought the best and brightest, fully-funded students to the university’s science and
technology Ph.D. programs;
• Formulated policies and procedures for establishing international joint and dual
degree programs. Successfully implemented two pilot agreements for dual degree
doctoral programs: one with Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia and another
one with the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil;
• Initiated and directed research and educational partnerships with major universities in
Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries;
• Developed strategies for enhancing campus internationalization: articulated
institutional commitment, stimulated faculty discussions, cultivated external funding
opportunities, and established connections with international alumni.
Enhancing International Dimension
• Enhanced and supported the educational, cultural and social dimension of
international education by promoting a diverse learning environment and essential
services that assisted international students in meeting their educational and career
goals;
• Provided budget oversight for program initiatives aimed to raise cultural awareness
on campus;
• Collaborated with University International Program Office in assisting with visa and
immigration issues; study abroad programs, and to ensure compliance with federal
regulations concerning the enrollment and employment of international students and
scholars;
• Launched curriculum development efforts by developing international joint and dual
degree program;
• Led and oversaw the development and implementation of university-wide short and
long-term strategies for international student’s recruitment and retention;
• Represented the University on various international councils and boards:
Assistant Dean of the Graduate School, University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1995–2003
• Provided leadership for the continual advancement of the quality, reputation, and
direction of the graduate school;
• Directed the University orientation program for incoming international graduate
students;
• Administered language and cultural training programs for international teaching
assistants;
• Provided counseling, addressing graduate students’ issues concerning financial,
personal, cultural, and academic matters;
• Established and administered viable recruitment and retention plans for international
graduate students;
• Worked with students, student leaders, faculty, and administrators regarding issues
(e.g. housing, stipend, health, fees/dues) that affect the quality of education and
campus life;

6. • Broadened the focus of mentoring and ethics programs, including plagiarism and
other research-related issues;
• Advanced the university’s goal to be an inclusive and equitable teaching, learning and
working place.
Special Assistant to the Vice Chancellor for Researchand Dean of the Graduate School,
University of Massachusetts Amherst, 1983–1995
• Advised and assisted Vice Chancellor for Research and Dean of the Graduate School on
all matters concerning research and graduate administration;
• Enhanced and supported the educational and social dimension of international education;
• Promoted a learning environment by strengthening the essential services and programs
that assisted international students in meeting educational and career goals;
• Worked with deans and faculty in implementing model programs designed to attract
minorities to doctoral programs in science, mathematics, and engineering;
• Worked with the graduate council, graduate student senate and the housing office to
provide improved housing for graduate students;
• Conducted opinion surveys aiming to improve the quality of university services offered
to graduate students;
• Updated graduate school annual catalog;
• Revised and upgraded the quality of the Graduate School’s publications;
• Established and administered viable recruitment and retention plans for minority graduate
students.
INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE
AZERBAIJAN
Visited Qafqaz University, Baku to establish research and academic linkages (2006);
Hosted 13 Rectors from universities in Central Asia to establish research and educational
relations (2007);
Hosted delegations from Qafqaz University to promote research and educational
collaborations (2006) and (2008).
CHINA
Hosted delegations from Fudan University (1996) and Shaanxi Normal University (2006) to
strengthen the continued research and graduate education collaborations.
GERMANY
Fulbright Scholar (1992): visited universities in The West and previously East Germany;
participated in seminars and forums arranged by the German Ministry for Education on the
status of higher education in Germany;
Hosted delegations from Heidelberg and Freiberg Universities (1995) and (2008).
INDIA
Visited several universities in India to assess and evaluate the quality of their research and
graduate education with the intention to create academic collaborations (2003);

7. Represented university for establishing educational partnership and exchange programs with
Amrita University, Coimbatore & New Delhi, India (2005);
Hosted delegation from Amrita University, India (2004);
Hosted delegation from Kurukshetra University, Haryana, India (2008).
PAKISTAN
Received the University Outreach grant to visit universities in Pakistan to create
opportunities and research and international academic partnerships for faculty and doctoral
students (2006), and (2009);
Arranged and hosted Ambassador of Pakistan’s visit to the University of Massachusetts
Amherst (1995).
QATAR
Received a university outreach grant to explore funding opportunities at Qatar University,
Doha for establishing a center for Islamic Global Studies at the University of Massachusetts
Amherst (2008).
SOUTH AFRICA
Visited major research universities to create research and academic collaborations
particularly in management, nursing, public health, and communication disorder (2004);
Hosted delegation from South African universities (2005).
TURKEY
Visited several universities for creating exchange and study abroad programs (2005).
The UNITED ARAB EMIRATES
Received an academic outreach grant to visit Dubai to explore the possibilities of
establishing educational and research collaborations (2008).
RESEARCH SPECIALIZATION
The research focused on higher education policy and planning; program development and
implementation; and politics of education in developing countries.
Major research papers:
• Institutional Mapping of Pakistan: Federal Ministry of Education’s Initiative to
Administer Qualifying Examination in Urdu;
• Analysis of Pakistan’s Education Policy on Changing the Medium of Instruction in
Schools from English to Urdu or Provincial Languages;
• Colonialism and Its Impact on the Present-day Pakistan: Politics of the Language Policies
and the Continued Dominance and Elitism of the English Language;
• Master’s Thesis: The Impact of Islam on the Foreign Policy of Pakistan;
• Doctoral Dissertation: The Role of Education in a Historically Challenging and
Politically Complex Environment: The Response of Public Universities to the September
11 Attacks.

8. PAPERS AND SEMINARS
• Pakistan and the United States: Analysis of the Current Issues and their Implications
for a Long-term Development in the Region.
• The Impact of Islam on the European Renaissance.
• Islam and the West.
• Status of Women in Pakistan.
• Status of Women in Islam.
• Access to Public Higher Education in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
[Translated into German by the West German Ministry of Education as a benchmark
study in constructing its long-range education plans.]
AWARDS AND RECOGNITIONS
• University of Massachusetts Amherst Outreach Grant for establishing an Institute for
Global Islam and a graduate certificate program in the study of Islamic Cultures and
Languages, 2006.
• Chancellor’s Community, Diversity and Social Justice Award, 1997.
• Chancellor’s Citation Award for Distinguished Service, 1995.
• Fulbright Scholar Award, 1992.
• Vice President, Board of Trustees, Hampden Charter School of Science, Chicopee,
Massachusetts (2006–Present).
LANGUAGES
Fluency in reading, writing, and spoken Urdu; basic language skills in Persian, Arabic, and
French.