Vesna Hart: Director of Global Learning & Partnerships

As Director of Global Learning & Partnerships, Dr. Vesna Hart is responsible for promoting global partnership development and project management with a focus on research, scholarship and service, cultural and academic programming, as well as professional development for visiting international scholars and students.

Dr. Hart, a native of Croatia, earned her B.A. in Education from the University of Novi Sad (Republic of Serbia), her M.A. in Education from Eastern Mennonite University, Harrisonburg (USA), and her Psy.D. in Clinical and School Psychology from James Madison University, Harrisonburg (USA).  Dr. Hart has a strong interest in international, interdisciplinary and interprofessional collaboration and research.  A devoted advocate for human dignity and well-being, Dr. Hart worked in a post-conflict context in the Balkans, providing psychosocial support and education to students, parents and teachers across ethnic differences.  Furthermore, she taught undergraduate and graduate courses in psychology, peacebuilding and conflict resolution to both U.S. and international populations.  Using sociocultural theoretical framework focused on cognitive and affective change, Dr. Hart has developed curricula and programs for children and youth, focused on socio-emotional learning, global education, peace education, interfaith relationship building and trauma awareness.  Her research and scholarship interests include international students’ experiences in college, international learning processes and outcomes, as well as beliefs and values regarding justice and human nature.  Dr. Hart is a member of the American Psychological Association’s Division of International Psychology, as well as the European Association for International Education and NAFSA: Association of International Educators.