Gloria Flores Passmore, director of Sponsored Students and Special Programs in the Graduate School and International Education, is retiring after a 19-year career at the University of Arkansas.

The campus community is invited to a drop-in reception honoring Flores Passmore on Tuesday, Dec. 14, from 2-3 p.m., in Gearhart Hall room 206.

As director, Flores Passmore built strong relationships with sponsors such as the Saudi Cultural Ministry, the Institute for International Education, and the SABIC corporation. She worked with faculty and with programs to recruit and manage sponsored students on campus.  She also developed a strong relationship with the U.S. Fulbright Program and the Fulbright Association, and she served as the faculty sponsor for the campus Fulbright Student registered student organization.       

In 2019, Flores Passmore expanded her role to take on custom and special programs including visiting and exchange students, and also assumed responsibility for the PAPSS program, which hosts more than 100 Panamanian students on campus. 

Earlier this fall, Flores Passmore was named as a 2021 Hoyt Purvis Award recipient for outstanding dedication to international education at the University of Arkansas.

Curt Rom, associate dean of international education, said he is grateful for Flores Passmore's valuable contributions to international education.

"Our campus has been fortunate to receive her service as a leader to the Graduate School and International Education," Rom said. "Her experience with recruiting and assisting sponsored students, and her dedication to representing the University with international sponsors will be sorely missed."