This summer, the Center for Global Engagement welcomed two new directors to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Kate Scott joined as the director of the Programs Abroad Office and Todd M. Beard joined as the director of the English Language Institute.

Kate Scott, director of the Programs Abroad Office

Kate Scott began as director of the Programs Abroad Office in June of 2023. 

Kate’s passion for international education really took root when she taught at an international elementary school in Khartoum, Sudan, for three years after graduating with her undergraduate degree in elementary education. She returned to the United States and continued her professional trajectory in international education by pursuing a master’s degree in TESOL while teaching in an ESL program at Saginaw Valley State University. During her tenure at SVSU, she served as the assistant director and then the director of the English Language Program. Under Kate’s leadership, the English Language Program achieved specialized accreditation through CEA, the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation. Her last role at SVSU was Director of International Education, which encompassed oversight of education abroad programs, inbound short-term international programs and a community outreach for local elementary school students called ‘Passport to the World’ which focused on introducing global competencies through interactions with SVSU international students. 

Kate is passionate about international education and is looking forward to working collaboratively with partners across campus to enhance students’ agency to engage in the global community, invoking a life-long obligation to global citizenry as an integral part of the Volunteer experience.

Todd M. Beard, director of the English Language Institute

Todd M. Beard began as director of the English Language Institute in July of 2023. He will oversee efforts to advance the ELI mission and collaborate with campus and community partners to provide English language learning resources.

Todd has been in education for over 20 years, teaching and leading programs in the United States, Germany and the United Kingdom. Before beginning this role at UT, he was the director for an intensive English program at Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee. His strengths are with ideation, innovation and being a catalyst for strategic change. He enjoys taking action in areas to stimulate growth and learning that elevate the student experience. He has led presentations, program development and student recruitment in Europe, Central America and South America. Actively involved in international education, he has served on the NAFSA Region VII leadership team as the international enrollment management liaison, the board of Study Tennessee as co-chair and as a member-at-large on the Tennessee TESOL board.

CONTACT:

Jason Moody (865-974-5752, jmoody9@utk.edu)