ABOUT

The International Relations and Global Engagement office is here to help you find a global connection. You can learn more about us and find our contact information below.

Kaitlin Louise Palmer
Kaitlin grew up in the Black Hills with a natural love for the outdoors, a good cup of tea, and traveling as much as possible! After developing a taste for culture, food, and new experiences while traveling as a young child, she has enjoyed exploring the United States and various areas of the world to meet new people and enjoy the delicious food they create! Kaitlin's first international education experience brought her to Florence, Italy where she spent a semester in 2013 exploring the Tuscan hillsides by bicycle. She graduated as a University Honors Scholar with a Bachelor degree of Science in Psychology from Black Hills State University in 2014 and a Masters degree of Education in Administration of Student Affairs from South Dakota State University in 2019. She has enjoyed serving BHSU students since 2015 and attributes her love for education to her Alma mater, Black Hills State University. In her free time, she loves cooking, eating, playing Legos, painting, camping, biking, kayaking, skiing, and hiking with her husband, Woodrow. She also enjoys the company of her dog, Molly, two cats, Charlie and Beans, and her many houseplants! To connect with Kaitlin, you can email her at kaitlin.palmer@BHSU.edu or call 605-642-6942.

Mission Statement:

The International Relations and Global Engagement office is the hub for international activity at Black Hills State University.

Vision Statement:

The International Relations & Global Engagement (IRGE) office is charged with the development, growth and sustainability of a global campus community. This charge is currently carried out by way of five strategic initiatives:

1. Recruitment of degree seeking international students
2. Recruitment of international and domestic students to participate in bilateral exchanges, independent study abroad experiences, and/or service learning programs which facilitate global understanding
3. Develop and maintain Memorandum of Understandings (MOUs) which link BHSU with partner universities abroad
4. Development of opportunities for BHSU faculty and staff to participate in visiting professor, visiting researcher, or visiting staff exchange programs in addition to other collaborative service and scholarly activities
5. Create and maintain strategic collaborations on campus and in the local community which integrate internationalization into the fabric of the communities.