Judith Mallory is in her eighth year as the college’s International Coordinator. She oversees the Global Initiatives program, which offers quarterly alternative break trips for students throughout each year.

“On their travels, students participate in an engineering-related service project of community impact as well as visit sights of historic and cultural significance,” said Mallory. “I accompany students on the trips and ensure their safety while traveling.”

Born and raised in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, Mallory previously traveled the world as a corporate trainer for Schlumberger, the world’s largest oil field service company. She earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees at UT in psychology.

“I am qualified to administer Level B psychological instruments, and in addition, am a trained mediator and a master gardener,” she said. This experience surely helps her guide student groups—usually ranging in number from four to 10—through their international adventures. Her love of nature, the outdoors, and fitness adds to her travel enthusiasm.

“I enjoy traveling and have been to around forty countries on five continents,” said Mallory, who also fills her time with reading, gardening, writing, making jewelry, and TV that encourages thinking—especially “Jeopardy.”

One of Mallory’s favorite aspects of her job is to share eye-opening moments with students, many of whom are on their first trip outside of the country.

“On one of the trips to an impoverished country, a student observed, ‘These people have nothing, yet they have everything,’” she said. “The people there were joyful in simply living, even though they lacked material possessions and conveniences we take for granted in this country. I love being part of that experience for a student, and especially when it is noted so profoundly.”

Mallory seeks to keep her students’ time packed with positive memories that will stay with them for a lifetime, and for the travel itinerary to maximize their opportunities for insight abroad.

“I encourage as much exploration as possible during their free time,” she said.