2017 institute staff

Explore the skilled team driving the Institute at Purdue University, leading the way in international development and collaborative strategy. See how their expertise and leadership are turning global challenges into chances for meaningful change, making this resource crucial for anyone interested in the latest insights and partnerships in international development and strategy.

Marcia Croft

ACADEMIC DIRECTOR

Assistant Director for Program Development

Marcia has a passion for and deep experience in the developing world. Marcia has considerable overseas experience in Africa, Asia and Latin America – and is intermediate or advanced in Kiswahili, French, Spanish, Thai, and Japanese. She recently earned a PhD from Purdue in Horticulture and Ecological Sciences and Engineering and, in Colombia, was a USDA Foreign Agricultural Service Intern. Marcia is looking forward to hosting the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Purdue because of the unique opportunities for personal and professional growth this Institute will offer both the Fellows and members Purdue community through the sharing of cultures and diverse perspectives.

Maria Khlebnikova

ADMINISTRATIVE DIRECTOR

Program Assistant, International Programs in Agriculture

Maria earned her Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry through the College of Science at Purdue University. While at Purdue, Maria was involved in research at the Department of Chemistry and at the Purdue Center for Cancer Research (PCCR), where she had the opprotunity to participate in projects studying gold nanorod-enhanced chemotherapy. In 2015, she studied abroad at the University of Bath in the UK, taking courses from the Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology. Recently, she took part in a volunteer mobile clinic in Lima, Peru. Maria has been invited to attend the Indiana University School of Medicine and is looking forward to beginning her studies there in August. Maria is excited to host the Mandela Washington Fellowship at Purdue because this will give her a chance to show all of the amazing opportunities Purdue University has to offer.