Burian New Dean of Graduate School of Translation, Interpretation, and Language Education

Burian currently serves as a professor of translation and interpretation, program chair of the Translation, Interpretation, and Localization Management programs, and the president of the Faculty Senate. A graduate herself of the Institute’s Chinese Translation and Interpretation program, she has been a member of the faculty since 2000, and has over two decades’ experience as an in-demand, high-level freelance translator/interpreter. She is a past recipient of both the Institute’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award (2004) and the Eliason Teacher of Excellence Award (2009), and her TEDxMonterey talk on interpreting, co-presented with Professor Barry Olsen earned an “Editor’s Pick” accolade from TED in 2014.

“Laura has already demonstrated a unique ability to lead varied groups to effect necessary and positive changes,” remarks Dayton-Johnson. “I’m looking forward to working with her to realize the Institute’s academic vision.”

“As an alum and as a faculty member of 19 years at MIIS, I am honored and privileged to have the opportunity to serve in this new role,” Burian says. “It is humbling to follow in the footsteps of Renee Jourdenais, who has provided a decade of exemplary leadership as Dean of GSTILE. I am excited to join such a dedicated team of administrators, and look forward to working more closely with the amazing staff, faculty, and students across the Institute and beyond.”

As he welcomed Burian into her new role, Dayton-Johnson extended his “deep gratitude to Renée Jourdenais for her decade of outstanding service to the Institute as the dean of GSTILE. Thank you.”