Director, Programs Abroad
University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Kate Scott has been in the field of international education for almost 20 years and is currently the Director of Programs at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her passion for international education took firm root when she taught abroad for three years after obtaining her undergraduate degree in elementary education. She then 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 (SVSU) in Michigan. During her time 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 and inbound short-term international programs. As an introverted leader, Kate relies on reflective decision-making, fostering collaborative partnerships on and off campus, and encouraging her team members to leverage their unique strengths.