Birgitta “Gitta” Rausch-Montoto
Email: gmontoto@fiu.edu
Other Titles: Fulbright Program Campus Liaison; Chair, International Travel Committee; Chair, Textbook Affordability Task Force
Bio
Birgitta “Gitta” Rausch-Montoto serves as Director of Global and Faculty Success. Her primary focus is developing international and intercultural bridges between internal and external partners, implementing operational policies and procedures, and aligning FIU's global strategic efforts with the University's priorities. She currently serves as Chair of the International Travel Committee which assumes duty of care for students and employees while abroad and partners with the Office of Compliance and Integrity to ensure that global travelers comply with federal and state laws. In her role as Fulbright Campus Liaison, she has supported dozens of faculty with successful fellowship applications, boosting FIU’s overall participation in the program and garnering accolades as Top Producer of U.S. Fulbright Scholars in 2016, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2024 and Fulbright HSI Leader in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024.
In addition, since 2014, she has been chairing the university-wide Textbook Affordability Task Force which implements initiatives to ensure college affordability and meet state-wide compliance requirements. The most impactful innovation has been the Panther Book Pack inclusive access program in partnership with Barnes & Noble College, FIU's campus bookstore. A flat rate rental program for required course materials in undergraduate courses, in 2023-2024 the Panther Book Pack generated in excess of $6.2 mio in student savings.
Gitta joined FIU in 2004 as Executive Assistant to the 4th President, Dr. Modesto Maidique. In 2006 she was appointed Chief of Staff in the Office of the Provost, leading the office staff, coordinating the Provost’s standing Deans and Chairs Advisory Councils and Operations Committee meetings, and managing Board of Trustees Academic Policy & Student Affairs committee agendas as well as senior level appointment searches. Between 2009-2015 she assumed the role of Chair of the Commencement Committee and successfully conducted over 80 grand graduation ceremonies.
FIU is Gitta’s two-time alma mater: she earned a B.A. with a focus on International Business and an M.S. in International and Intercultural Education. Before permanently moving to the United States, she was a banker (Bankkauffrau) by training in her native Germany. She is fluent in German, English and Spanish.