Paula Hentz is director of international learning at Stetson University. As director, Hentz serves as senior international officer (SIO) for the DeLand campus and principal advisor on comprehensive campus internationalization. She provides leadership of WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning and campus internationalization initiatives. As SIO, Hentz facilitates strategic global partnerships and advises on risk management and on legal and academic standards. Ms. Hentz also provides administrative oversight of the international student exchange and Study Abroad programs, international faculty exchange and faculty development, and the international learning scholarship program. She is an ad hoc member of Stetson’s International Learning Council, the provostial body charged with charting the direction of international learning at Stetson.
Hentz’s research interests include global learning, foreign student cultural adaptation, social identities, diversity and inclusion, and study abroad. She co-presents and publishes with faculty colleagues at Stetson University and across the globe.
Ms. Hentz has served at Stetson University for more than nine years, previously in the role as WORLD’s assistant director of study abroad. She has lived abroad in England and South Korea. She is a graduate of AIEA’s Academy for New Senior International Officers, recently completed Diversity Abroad’s Global Institute for Inclusive Leadership in New Zealand, and serves as a member of Diversity Abroad’s Faculty Development Committee. Paula Hentz earned a B.A. in African American studies and history from the University of Wisconsin and an M.Ed in counseling and personnel services from the University of Maryland and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Colorado State University.
In the news
“Crises” providing opportunity to build an equitable future for study abroad . The Pie News, August 11, 2020
Bishkek and Beyond: Stetson University Magazine, Spring 2019
Highland Adventures: Stetson University Magazine, Spring 2019
RECENT Publications, Presentations & Professional Development Offerings
A Multi-Modal Approach to Overcoming Challenges in Internationalization. Rachel Core, Chris Jimenez, Paula Hentz, and Luz Nagle. Transforming Global Learning Practice: Time for Action. AAC&U Conference on Global Learning, October 2022.
The Future of Student Mobility: A Student-Centric Approach. Feuling, B., Hentz, P., Whitehead, J. AAC&U Virtual Conference on Global Learning, October 2020.
Increasing Underrepresented Student Participation Abroad through Innovative Program Design. Hentz, P., Cappas-Toro, P., Eisen, A. Virtual Diversity Abroad Annual Conference, August 2020.
Intercultural Intersections: Faculty of Color who Lead Programs Abroad. Hentz, P., Yates, M. Morales-Diaz, E., A’Ness, F. Virtual Diversity Abroad Annual Conference, August 2020.
Faculty Development Task Force Town Hall Discussion. Fuhs, K., Exah, A., Hentz, P., A’Ness, F., Francis, J. Diversity Abroad Annual Conference, Boston, MA, March 2019.
A Scottish Experience: Learning through Partnerships. Hentz, P. Council on Undergraduate Research Conference, Arlington, VA, July 2018.
Multiracial Siblings: Exploring Varying Racial Experiences within the Same Family Unit. Hentz, A., Hentz, P., Hentz Hoffmann, E. Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference, College Park, MD, March 2018.
Hentz, P. & Petrovic, J. (2018). “Why are all the International Students Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? Teaching about Cultural Adaptation through Community Engagement.” In Seiter, J.S., Peeples, J., & Sanders, M. L. Communication in the Classroom: A Collection of GIFTS. Boston, MA: Bedford/St. Martin’s.
Using Institutional Mission and Values to Link Global Learning Outcomes with High-Impact Practices. Abbott, T., Core, R., Hentz, P., Petrovic, J. AAC&U Global Engagement and Social Responsibility Conference, New Orleans, LA, October 2017.
Invisible Identities Abroad: Supporting Mental Health, Allergy, and Learning Needs. Chin, B., Gallant, D., Hentz, P., Reiss, M. NAFSA Annual Conference, Los Angeles, CA, June 2017. Presentation selected for publication by NAFSA.
Global Citizenship Collaboratory. Hentz, P., Lewis, R., West, J. Third Annual Colloquium on Teaching and Learning. Stetson University, Deland, FL, April 6, 2017.
Hentz, Paula and Richards, Rosalie. Eds. WORLD Class: 2015-2016. Promoting integrative learning through global community engagement. 2016. Print.
Embedding Global Citizenship into Student Leadership Development. Dement, L. & Hentz, P. AAC&U Global Learning and the College Curriculum Conference, Denver, CO, October 2016.
Why are all the International Students Sitting Together in the Cafeteria? Teaching about Cultural Adaptation through Community Engagement. Petrovic, J., Hentz, P. National Communication Association Conference, Las Vegas, NV, November 2015.
Invisible Identities: Promoting and Protecting Diverse Identities in Study Abroad. Chin, B., Gallant, D., Hentz, P., Reiss, M. Council on International Education Exchange (CIEE) Annual Conference, Berlin, Germany, November 2015.
Hentz, Paula and Richards, Rosalie. Eds. WORLD Class: 2014-2015. Promoting integrative learning through global community engagement. 2015. Print.
The New Professional: Rethinking Multicultural Competencies during Year One. Barnes, D., Clark, L., Hentz, P., Maia, A., zhang, r. ACPA National Conference, Indianapolis, IN, April 2014.
Passport to the WORLD: Navigating Student Ability in Engaged Learning Abroad. Hentz, P. & Thompson, A. NAFSA Region VII Conference, Raleigh, NC, October 2013.
Related Links
https://blog.stetson.edu/world/paula-hentz-and-jelena-petrovic-publish-book-chapter/
https://blog.stetson.edu/world/inclusive-campus-internationalization-lunch-learn-with-paula-hentz/
Paula Hentz selected to Global Institute for Inclusive Leadership in New Zealand