Written by Colin McEvoy | February 26, 2026 | SHARE
Katie Welsh Radande, Director of Study Abroad at Lehigh University, has been recognized by IES Abroad with its Professional Development Award for expanding access to global study and internship opportunities for students.
Katie Welsh Radande, Director of Study Abroad at Lehigh University, was recently honored with the Professional Development Award from IES Abroad, a longtime partner organization that has helped provide hundreds of Lehigh students with global study opportunities.
Radande received the award in recognition of her tireless efforts to expand funding opportunities for students studying and interning outside of Europe. IES Abroad described her as a longtime friend and ardent supporter who has helped nurture a strong partnership in service of Lehigh students’ global learning experiences.
“Katie Radande is the kind of partner who makes education abroad better for students,” said Gregory D. Hess, President & CEO, IES Abroad.
“She’s built a strong, trusted relationship with IES Abroad to support Lehigh students, helped bring Lehigh Launch to life as a first-year study abroad program, and has worked tirelessly to expand funded opportunities beyond Europe, including internships at our Cape Town and Santiago locations,” Hess said.
Lehigh offers a wide range of education abroad experiences, many facilitated through partner organizations such as IES Abroad. These providers, typically nonprofit organizations with global study centers or U.S.-based universities with international campuses, offer overseas programs, co-curricular experiential learning opportunities, and on-the-ground support with visas, housing, and host-country systems.
More than 1,600 Lehigh students have participated in IES Abroad programs since 2000, according to Kate Bryant, IES Abroad Senior College Relations Manager.
“IES Abroad is one of Lehigh's long-standing partners, supporting thousands of Lehigh students,” Radande said. “We are grateful to partner with their three divisions: study abroad, internship, and customized programming. I'm proud to be recognized for the ongoing work and partnership with IES Abroad.”
Lehigh offers more than 250 study abroad programs in over 60 countries, from shorter programs led by Lehigh faculty or staff to semester or year-long programs offered by partners like IES Abroad.
A total of 761 Lehigh students had an international experience in 2024–25, and 40% of the 2025 graduating class had an international experience, according to Global Data Reports released by Lehigh’s Office of International Affairs (OIA).
Lehigh also offers study abroad experiences through the Iacocca International Internship Program (IIIP), a program of the Lee Iacocca Institute for Global Leadership. Since its launch in 2011, IIIP has placed nearly 900 students in high-quality summer internships across five dozen countries.
IES Abroad offers more than 140 study abroad programs in 34 destinations around the world. The organization works with a consortium of more than 275 colleges and universities, which helps facilitate students’ participation in the organization’s study abroad programming.
Lehigh has been a consortium member since 2008, allowing the university to provide its students with study abroad and internship opportunities in incredible destinations around the world.
The IES Abroad Professional Development Award recognizes an education abroad professional who has made significant contributions to the field through creative use of resources to promote and support study abroad, as well as leadership in program development and student services. Radande received the award late last year.