The hard part is where the growth happens.
I'm Dr. Neal J. McKinney—a global educator, researcher, and consultant based in Columbus, Ohio.
I've spent my career in higher ed spaces between aspiration and access. As a practitioner, I've advised and directed study abroad programs serving thousands of students across the world. As a scholar, I center critical theories to disrupt structures and systems in U.S. higher education that disproportionately impact historically marginalized U.S. students of color and international students. As a consultant, I've designed, facilitated, and delivered curriculum and presentations to educational professionals of all levels in educational spaces and at national conferences (ACPA, NAFSA, The Forum on Education Abroad).
What connects all of it: a belief that transformative experiences—studying abroad, landing the right career opportunity, finding your voice as a leader—shouldn't be determined by who you are or where you come from.
How I Work
I think of my consulting role like a river guide. You're going somewhere important, and the current might be uncomfortable. My job isn't to lecture from the shore—it's to be in the boat with you, helping you navigate toward more just, equitable practices with clarity, courage, and care. That means I'm not here to hand you a checklist or tell you what you want to hear. I'm here to help you ask harder questions, sit with complexity, and actually get somewhere.
Education
- Ph.D. in Educational Studies, The Ohio State University
- M.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs, University of Maryland, College Park
- B.A. in Communication, DePauw University
- Study abroad experience: IES Abroad, Barcelona, Spain
Experience
- Former Director of Study Abroad and Internship Operations, AIFS Abroad
- Former Associate Director of Off-Campus Programs, DePauw University
- Published in Frontiers: The Interdisciplinary Journal of Study Abroad
- Regular speaker at NAFSA, Forum on Education Abroad, and Global Inclusion Conference
