Kirsti Ruud

Kirsti (pronouns: she/her/hers) is an Director and Advisor in the Education Abroad Office. In this role, she accompanies students through the discernment process in selecting an international program which meets the individual academic and personal goals of each student. In addition to working with students during this initial exploration phase, Kirsti supports students through further advising, Pre-Departure Orientation, and other event programming prior to departure and through the re-entry process. Kirsti holds a BA in Political Science from Seattle University and studied abroad in Madagascar through the School for International Training. Having experience studying, volunteering, and traveling abroad in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America, Kirsti joins the Education Abroad Office staff with a shared value of international education and its central role in the university’s mission.

Kirsti's message about education abroad: "I studied abroad in Madagascar through the School for International Training (SIT), focusing on urbanization and rural development. Having experienced studying, volunteering and traveling abroad in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, I joined the Education Abroad Office staff with a shared value and belief in the transformative power of international education and its central role in the university’s mission to empower leaders for a just and humane world."