b'In recent years, UFIC has also becomeour international programs and increasingly involved in complianceopportunities.aspects that have assumed increasingSince 2020, and throughout a worldWhats next forimportance in the state and nation.pandemic, UFIC was challenged like Dean Villalln also carried the title ofnever before to redouble its efforts inDean Villaln?Associate Provost contributing to thepursuit of our core mission. In spiteIn March 2022, Dean Villaln, in his smooth running of the UF campus.of all, Dean Villaln was successfulrole of Professor of African Politics Thanks to Dean Villalns vision,in reframing and continue to leadwas awarded a $1.6M Grant to Study UF has also been exponentiallythe discussion with our internationalthe Effects of Climate Change in West recognized for its broad commitmentcolleagues and counterparts toAfrica from the Minerva Research to international education and globalremain a host and nurturer to ourInitiative. Together with a team of research, grounded in its fundamentalinternational educators community. UF faculty members they will aim to goals of preparing our students toUnder his management, UFIC alsounderstand and explain the variations meet the challenges of a globalizedcreated a staff task force for Inclusion,in responses to the effects of climate world, striving for faculty researchDiversity, Equity, and Accesschange in the Sahel region. He plans excellence with a global impact, and(IDEA) with the goals of creatingto dedicate himself to this three-year advancing campus diversity. a more inclusive environment forresearch project and focus on Senegal, Under the management of Deanstaff, improving services for UFICsMauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger Villaln, in 2018 UF was selectedconstituencies, and supporting UFsand Chad, some of the least developed to receive the Senator Paulmission to advance representation,countries on earth according to Simon Award for Comprehensiveinclusion, opportunity, andUnited Nations rankings, and highly Internationalization and duringaccountability as stated in The Decadesusceptible to the effects of climate the next years, UFIC saw a growthAhead plan.change. in all international programs suchMost importantly, Leo has made as Global Fellows, Internationalfriends along the way, and regardedHe will also continue coordinating the Scholars Program, Virtual Exchangehis staff as family. UFs Sahel Research Group, mentoring Training, Peace Corps, Peace Corpsgraduate students, co-editing the Prep, Global Learning InstituteOn behalf of everyone in theJournal of Modern African Studies, and and Study Abroad LeadershipInternational Center, we wish Deanliving, traveling, and lecturing about his Program. The UFIC CommunicationsVillaln the very best. We thank himbeloved Francophone countries of the unit was also expanded underagain for eight and a half years asAfrican Sahel. his leadership, enhancing UFICdean and for all his contributions to communication tools and amplifyingadvance the internationalization of news and announcements aboutthe University of Florida.GLOBAL ENGAGEMENT REPORT 2021202227'