Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost, Dr. Ani Yazedjian, has named Dr. Claudia Petrescu as associate vice president for Graduate Education and Internationalization Initiatives effective July 1, 2025. In this role Petrescu will lead and shape the University’s strategic vision for graduate and international education, champion inclusive academic excellence, and promote evidence-based innovation.  

“We are thrilled to welcome Dr. Claudia Petrescu to Illinois State,” said Yazedjian. “Dr. Petrescu’s distinguished record of academic leadership, as well as her student-centered focus, will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen graduate education, advance a comprehensive approach to internationalization, and support a diverse and globally minded academic community. I also want to express my appreciation to Dr. Gavin Weiser for their commitment and service to the Graduate School over the last year.”   

Petrescu is an established leader in graduate education and has partnered with the Office of International Programs on multiple internationalization efforts. She currently serves as the Vice Provost for Graduate Education and Dean of the Graduate School at Kansas State University. Under her leadership the Graduate School created a new strategic plan, developed a graduate student success model, enhanced organizational excellence in graduate education, developed a data-informed graduate education culture, launched several initiatives to improve graduate student retention and success, built a Graduate Advisory Board, and developed fundraising strategies.   

Previously Petrescu served as the Chief Strategy officer, and prior to that, as Dean of the Graduate School, at Oakland University in Michigan. She has also served in various administrative and faculty roles at Eastern Michigan University. Petrescu was an American Council on Education (ACE) fellow at Georgia State University where she learned how to harness the power of innovative thinking to create a culture of transformation and change. 

Petrescu is also a strong proponent of community engagement. She has served as a board member at various community organizations and as a strategic planning consultant. She currently serves as the chair of the Budget committee of the Midwest Association of Graduate Schools and on the Council of Graduate School’s Advancement Advisory committee. She also is a member of the Board of Directors for several community organizations, including Konza United Way, Rotary Manhattan, and Command and General Staff College Foundation (CGSC) Fort Leavenworth.  

As a researcher, Petrescu has been published in journals such as Discover Education, the International Journal of Voluntary and Nonprofit Organizations, International Leadership Journal, and Nonprofit Management and Leadership, among others.  

“I am honored and excited to join the Illinois State University community and to contribute to the ongoing successes in the area of graduate education and internationalization,” said Petrescu. “I look forward to working with the dedicated teams in the Graduate School and in the Office of International Engagement and with university leadership, faculty, staff, and students, to strategically advance graduate education and to build a strong international presence.” 

Petrescu holds two master’s degrees—one in social and public policy from Duquesne University, and the second in economics from Babes-Bolyai University in Romania. She earned her doctorate from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. She has also completed post-graduate studies in international affairs at the National School of Public Administration and International Relations, also in Romania.