Petra Hejnova

About Petra Hejnova

Petra is a senior international education leader with more than 25 years of experience advancing global engagement, curricular innovation, and inclusive academic programs across complex higher education environments.She serves as Chief Academic Officer for Syracuse University Abroad, where she leads large, multi-country academic portfolios in close collaboration with faculty and senior administrators. Her work centers on academic quality, accreditation, and regulatory compliance across Syracuse University’s 13 schools and colleges, five permanent overseas centers, and World Partner programs in more than 60 countries.Petra’s career bridges academic leadership, public policy, and international advocacy. She is recognized for building innovative global partnerships that advance education, research, and cross-cultural understanding. During the Czech Republic’s post-communist transition, Petra served as Co-Executive Director of Gender Studies o.p.s, a leading NGO that helped establish gender studies as an academic discipline. In that role, she was an advocate for women’s rights and equity across Central and Eastern Europe, including serving as the Czech “shadow” representative to the United Nations Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in New York.Petra has designed and led international education programs across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and the Americas. As a senior academic administrator, she emphasizes governance, accountability, and student success, and provides strategic counsel, budget oversight, and risk management as a member of Syracuse University Abroad’s senior leadership team. She also contributes to institutional advancement and research administration, and has secured major gifts and grants through her work with international organizations, foundations, and diplomatic missions. Petra holds a PhD in political science, with expertise in public policy, comparative politics, and gender studies. She is fluent in English and Czech (native) and conversant in Spanish, Russian, and German.

Experience

1. Assistant Professor of Political Science (Courtesy Appointment)

   Syracuse University - Maxwell School

   Jun 2014 — Present · Syracuse, NY, US

   Taught interdisciplinary courses in global studies, international affairs and comparative politics- Facilitates First-Year Seminar, mentoring first year students in their academic transition and civicengagement.

Education

• Charles University

  Master of Arts (MA), Public and Social Policy

  1999 — 2002

• Syracuse University - Maxwell School

  Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Political Science and Government

Skills

• Research
• Policy Analysis
• Assessment
• Grant Writing
• Human Rights
• Social Policy
• Qualitative & Quantitative Research Methodologies
• International Education
• International Relations
• Study Abroad Programs
• Comparative Politics
• Public Speaking
• Curriculum Development
• University Teaching
• Higher Education Administration
• Nonprofits
• Community Outreach
• Program Development
• Social Movements
• Women and Politics
• Public Policy