Dr. Kimberly Niezgoda

Dr. Kimberly Ann Niezgoda is an accomplished educator and academic leader with extensive experience in higher education administration, English language learning, and international collaboration. As the Director of the English Language Center (ELC) and Program Coordinator for the Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) at Wilkes University, she has played a pivotal role in expanding global engagement and innovative language education programs. She spearheaded the development of the Intensive English Program (IEP) in 2006 and later launched the M.S. in TESOL program in 2009. In 2019, she further advanced Wilkes' international presence by establishing the English Language Center ( ELC) and designing specialized language programming to meet the evolving needs of educators and students worldwide.

With a doctorate in Higher Education Administration, Dr. Niezgoda is widely recognized for bridging academic research with practical teacher training initiatives. She has designed and led professional development programs for K-12 educators in Panama, equipping them with research-driven instructional strategies to enhance language acquisition and student engagement. Additionally, she has been instrumental in Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) initiatives, fostering partnerships between Japanese universities and K-12 districts in the U.S. to create sustainable, cross-cultural educational experiences.

Dr. Niezgoda is an active leader in international education, serving on the Board of the University and College Intensive English Programs (UCIEP), where she contributes to advancing high-quality English language programs across the U.S. Her scholarly contributions include presentations at the American Educational Research Association (AERA) and JAFSA (Japan Network for International Education), showcasing her expertise in internationalization and faculty engagement in global education.

With over 14 years of experience teaching and training educators across the Czech Republic, Hawai'i, Japan, and the United States, Dr. Niezgoda brings a global perspective to her work. Her proficiency in Czech and Japanese, combined with her dedication to cross-cultural collaboration, underscores her commitment to fostering inclusive and sustainable language education. Through her leadership, research, and dedication to professional development, Dr. Niezgoda continues to shape the landscape of TESOL and higher education administration at both national and international levels.