Rate My Professor Eric Archer

Dr. D. Eric Archer is an associate professor of educational leadership in global and higher education in the Department of Educational Leadership, Research, and Technology at Western Michigan University. He earned a Ph.D. in educational leadership and policy studies from Oklahoma State University in 2010, an M.S. in human development and family science with a specialization in marriage and family therapy from Oklahoma State University, a graduate certificate in international studies from Oklahoma State University, and a B.S. in human environmental sciences from the University of Alabama. Prior to his appointment at Western Michigan University in 2014 as an assistant professor—promoted to associate professor in 2020—Dr. Archer held positions as an assistant professor in adult and higher education at Northern Illinois University from 2012 to 2014 and at Valdosta State University from 2010 to 2012. Earlier in his career, he served as a residence director at Oklahoma State University, complex director at Western Illinois University, and instructor at various institutions. Currently, he is Faculty Fellow for Global Education at both the College of Education and Human Development and the Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, Program Director for Educational, Organizational, and Global Leadership Programs, and Program Coordinator for the Undergraduate Minor in Leadership for Social Change and the M.A. in Global Leadership and Learning.

Dr. Archer's research focuses on the internationalization of postsecondary education in the U.S. and abroad, experiences of international students, diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education, student identity development, and student leadership development using innovative methods such as graphic novels. He has conducted research and practice in countries including Albania, Canada, China, the Dominican Republic, the European Union, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, Portugal, Singapore, South Africa, and Spain, with particular expertise in Albanian higher education. Notable awards include the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to Albania in 2022, WMU College of Education and Human Development Trailblazer Award in 2025, Multicultural Advocate for Global Engagement Award in 2015 and 2021, Nevitt Sanford Writing Award from ACPA in 2010, and New Professional Award from ACUHO-I in 2004. Key publications comprise 'Patterns of Chinese-foreign academic collaboration as evidenced through the National Teaching Achievement awardees since 1989' (Zhang & Archer, 2025, Global Comparative Education), 'Global perspectives on reducing inequity: Expanding access to higher education for China’s ethnic minorities' (Zhang & Archer, 2024, Journal of Critical Global Issues), and contributions to the Journal of International Students, Journal of Postsecondary Student Success, and Reframing Campus Conflict (10th Anniversary edition). Dr. Archer leads WMU education abroad programs to Albania, Canada, and Singapore, serves on the advisory board of WMU's Global and International Studies program, and is an active presenter and consultant.