Maggie Mahoney, Ed.D., brings over 15 years of experience in higher education, with a focus on global competence development, internationalization strategy, leadership, and student global learning. Her work spans global program design, risk management, and cross-cultural facilitation, and she has trained and worked alongside educators, non-profit leaders, and student affairs professionals across the U.S. and abroad to deepen global mindsets and enhance intentional practices.

“It took me quite a long time to develop a voice, and now that I have it, I am not going to be silent.”

– Madeleine Albright

Beginnings

Rooted in the bayous of Southwest Louisiana, my early experiences were shaped by a my local community and education. I was a student in the local French immersion program that introduced me not only to dual language learning, but also to the cultural richness brought by teachers from Belgium, Senegal, Québec, France, and Louisiana. This Francophone environment cultivated my curiosity about the world and an appreciation for linguistic and cultural diversity from a young age. I continued my studies at a small liberal arts college in Louisiana, deepening my engagement with French, adding Spanish, and expanding my worldview through two study abroad programs to France and Belgium. My undergraduate years were also marked by student leadership at both local and regional levels—experiences that would later inform my professional path at the intersections of higher education leadership, language learning, cultural engagement, and international education.

Young Maggie at the Sacre Coeur on my first study abroad trip in France.

Experience

Over the course of my career in higher education, I have cultivated a multifaceted professional identity shaped by diverse roles across the student experience, including residence life, intercultural education, and career services. This breadth of experience has deepened my understanding of how students grow through both academic and co-curricular pathways, and how institutions can foster environments that support holistic development. I have developed and led teams, cultivated intentional strategy and operations at the department and division levels, created high-impact initiatives, and managed international risk. I’ve also worked on regional and national teams and facilitated inter-institutional collaborations for global learning. My approach is data-informed, people-centered, and rooted in a belief that global experiences should be accessible to all students—not just a few.

Culture

Culture has never been a concept I studied from a distance—it’s something I’ve lived, navigated, and facilitated through years of personal exploration and professional practice. A lifelong love of languages continues to fuel my curiosity and inform how I communicate and collaborate across cultural contexts. Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of living, working, and learning in diverse global contexts, from Houston to Saudi Arabia, all which have strengthened my cultural intelligence and deepened my understanding of how meaningful connection happens across difference. In my work, I strive to create environments where global competence is not only taught, but practiced—where people are encouraged to engage deeply, listen openly, and lead with empathy.

Leadership

Leadership, for me, is grounded in intention, authenticity, and connection across difference. As a Fulbright Scholar to India and a seasoned presenter, I have had the opportunity to share my expertise at national and international conferences, contributing to the broader conversations shaping global education. I lead workshops, consult, and facilitate custom learning experiences for schools, colleges, and mission-driven organizations seeking to develop cultural intelligence, strengthen collaboration, and foster inclusive, globally engaged communities. My current work focuses on helping individuals and teams move from awareness to action—equipping them with the mindset, skills, and strategies needed to navigate an increasingly interconnected world with confidence and care.