Stephanie Shaheen is the new executive director of Miami University's John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC).

Stephanie Shaheen’s connection to Miami University’s Luxembourg campus started before she’d even enrolled as a college student.

Shaheen was a 16-year-old in high school when her sister, Susan, studied abroad her junior year at the John E. Dolibois European Center (MUDEC). Shaheen knew that Susan was a Miami student. But what she wasn’t quite sure about was: Why wasn’t she at Miami?

“It had a huge impact on me,” said Shaheen, who recently started her new role as executive director of MUDEC. “That was when I was first interested in coming to Miami.”

Much of Shaheen’s life – as a student and later a professional – has revolved around Miami’s European campus. She studied there, lived there, and worked there. Luxembourg was the place Shaheen first realized how much smaller the world could be.

During her year abroad as a student, Shaheen stayed in Luxembourg as long as she could. It wasn’t until her father called her in August, reminding her how soon the semester would be starting in Oxford, that Shaheen made the trip back home.

After graduating in 1993, Shaheen worked in Pittsburgh, speaking French for a shipping company. Eventually, her career path brought her back to Miami and MUDEC, first as a student activities coordinator, which, at the time, was a part-time role.

Shaheen was there when someone became homesick, planned Halloween parties, and talked through any issues students might be having. She likened the position to something similar to that of an RA (resident assistant).

“I was like a big sister in a way,” Shaheen said. “I loved that job.

“I’ve been in a lot of positions. I’ve been a student. I’m alumni. I taught here for 20 years. I worked here as staff. All of those roles have helped.”

They’ve led to what has been a natural progression for Shaheen.

“She has built up relationships,” said Cheryl Young, associate vice president of Global Initiatives. “She has the American student affairs perspective, but she has the Luxembourg culture perspective as well. She was the perfect fit for the job.”

Shaheen replaces Raymond Manes, who retired in June. Young called the transition smooth.

“This is maybe one of the best successions I’ve seen, and I’ve been at Miami for 42 years,” Young said.

Interest in studying at MUDEC remains high. More than 160 Miami students will be in Luxembourg this fall, and Shaheen said the campus reached its maximum of 180 for the spring, with 30 more students on a waitlist.

More is on the horizon for the European campus. MUDEC reaches two significant milestones soon – the 30th anniversary of its move to Differdange in fall 2027 and the 60th anniversary of its founding in fall 2028.

“I’m excited to work with both our alumni and our students, in different ways,” Shaheen said. “I’m looking forward to connecting our alumni with our students. Alumni are so generous with their time and energy, and they want to talk to our students, who can learn more about careers and how Europe works.”

Studying abroad has several benefits, from communication skills to effective time management.

Professional experiences abroad are also important to MUDEC, with an increased emphasis as part of MiamiTHRIVE, the university’s strategic plan.

Legacies are also increasing in frequency, Shaheen said, with more current students in Luxembourg whose parents also attended MUDEC.

“The people make this place special,” Shaheen said. “It’s not only the faculty and staff, but it’s also the students and alumni here who make up this community. I love seeing where they started and where they ended. It’s incredible to see that growth.”