Matthew P. Cullinane will be the new director of Michigan State University’s Office for Global Health, Safety and Security in International Studies and Programs (ISP), effective June 25.
Cullinane comes to MSU with 15 years of experience in global safety strategy, crisis response and international education. He served as a senior U.S. diplomat focused on advancing major research and humanitarian projects, ensuring safety and security in Asia, Africa, Europe and, most recently, in the Middle East. In this role, he developed global risk management protocols partnering with higher education institutions, governments and humanitarian organizations.
MSU’s Office for Global Health, Safety and Security supports more than 7,000 Spartans who travel abroad each year for education abroad, research and outreach programs. As director, Cullinane will lead risk assessment efforts and crisis response planning, and provide expert recommendations to university leadership, faculty and students related to mitigating global risk.
Michigan State was one of the first universities to create a separate office dedicated to global safety. The Office provides 24/7 emergency assistance, monitoring international events and global public health concerns, and provides mandatory educational trainings for Education Abroad program directors and assistants, as well as pre-departure orientations for Education Abroad participants and other international travelers.
“Matt's depth of knowledge of global security operations and his commitment to student and faculty well-being make him an ideal person to oversee MSU's global health and safety efforts,” said Titus O. Awokuse, vice provost and dean for International Studies and Programs. "Along with his decades of experience, he also brings a collaborative and proactive style that will serve our Spartan travelers and international mission."
Cullinane served as a director of the U.S. Agency for International Development overseeing cross-border humanitarian operations in Syria from the U.S. Embassy in Jordan. Prior to that, Cullinane built multi-million-dollar higher education partnerships from the U.S. Embassy in Kosovo with partner universities in Iowa. He also served in the U.S. embassies in Ghana and Thailand, where he built major university partnerships with Florida International University.
Cullinane's background includes working closely with partner governments and universities, advising on institutional security policy and emergency response frameworks on multiple continents.
He received a Master of Business Administration and a Bachelor of Arts in political science from St. Bonaventure University. Cullinane also has certifications focused on global threat response and strategic planning from the U.S. Army War College and the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center.
“When I visited, I found a dedicated team at a globally engaged university. MSU is full of passionate people committed to learning and research across the world—driven by the pursuit of knowledge and service,” said Cullinane. “This speaks deeply to me after working with students and researchers around the world, building education coalitions across continents. My first experience working in higher education was serving on staff at SUNY Maritime University, sailing across the Atlantic and visiting ports from Lisbon to Istanbul. That journey showed me the joy of helping students explore new cultures while staying safe and secure.
This position focuses on the entire global Spartan community who are out in the world making a difference. The opportunity to expand that leadership and further MSU’s proactive, people-centered approach is both an honor and a mission I’m incredibly excited about.”
Cullinane succeeds Kurt Richter, who has served as the office’s interim director since December 2023. Richter will resume his role with the Department of Community Sustainability later this summer where he will continue teaching and working with graduate students and help the department secure external funding.
“We’re grateful for Kurt’s steady leadership during this time of transition,” said Awokuse. “His international expertise, institutional knowledge and thoughtful guidance have been instrumental in keeping MSU’s important global health and safety work on course.”