Strategy Over Scrambling: AIEA’s President Talks Tech, Leadership, and the Future of Global Ed

Higher ed loves to talk innovation—but the admin side is still stuck chasing paperwork and making panic-driven decisions. Paulo Zagalo-Melo, AIEA’s new president and Senior Internationalization Strategist at VCU, says it’s time for global education teams to flip the script with smarter tech, sharper strategy, and real career pathways for tomorrow’s leaders.

Paulo’s journey from accountant to international education strategist proves you don’t get ahead by playing it safe. In this finale of Via Voices Season 1, he tackles the disconnect between academic and administrative tech, challenges the fear mindset, and makes his case for investing in professional development that benefits both the industry and its people.

Key Takeaways

• More Leaders, Less Guesswork – AIEA’s new plan isn’t just talk. Career pathways, mentoring, and real networking to grow the next wave of global ed leaders.
• Strategic Backup for SIOs – At VCU, Paulo’s role adds the high-level strategy SIOs never have time for—moving global goals from wish list to done list.
  
• Tech Isn’t Optional – Academics move fast on tech. Admin? Not so much. Paulo’s all-in on using data and smarter systems to cut the lag and make better calls.
  
  

Guest Spotlight

Paulo Zagalo-Melo has exercised leadership in executive higher education administration positions for thirty years. He is the President of AIEA – the Association of International Education Administrators and is the Senior Internationalization Strategist for Virginia Commonwealth University. Paulo’s former roles include being the Associate Provost for Global Education at Western Michigan University, the Associate Provost for Global Education, Director of the Global Engagement Office, and Associate Professor of Educational Leadership at the University of Montana.

Paulo has a Ph.D. in Political Science from the Catholic University of Portugal (2012), and a Master in Public Administration degree from Harvard University (2004).

Key Insights & Timestamps:

[00:00] Podcast begins

[01:58] AIEA Strategic Plan: Embarking on new pathways for global ed leaders

[03:48] From Accountant to Education: Paulo’s journey to higher education in Portugal & the US

[09:13] New Role at VCU: Complimenting SIOs & enrollment advisors as a strategist

[12:56] Becoming Tech Savvy: How vital technology is in modern day higher education

[16:27] Challenge of Fear: International education is at risk of a panic-driven decision

[21:40] Rapid Fire Questions: Paulo talks personal passions & professional hopes

AIEA | aieaworld.org, Virginia Commonwealth University | vcu.edu

Book: Surrender 40 Songs, One Story
By: Bono

Connect with Paulo:

• LinkedIn

For More Information:
Learn more about the Association of International Education Administrators at AIEAworld.org. Visit ViaTRM.com to learn more about Via TRM and access to additional resources.

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