DeDe Long lives in Fayetteville, Arkansas and has enjoyed a long career in international education at the University of Arkansas, celebrated as the home of the late Senator J. William Fulbright.  She retired in July 2019 as Emeritus Director of the Office of Study Abroad and International Exchange. She received a Fulbright International Administrators grant to Germany in 2006.

DeDe grew up in Denver, Colorado. She completed her B.A. in Comparative Religion at Bowdoin College and her M.Ed in Higher Education Administration at the University of Arkansas.  Over a 40 year span, she created new positions in foreign student advising, foreign credential evaluation, international admissions, sponsored student programs, study abroad, and international exchange partnerships.  She served as the Fulbright campus program advisor (FPA) for 25 years.

DeDe has been recognized multiple times for her professional accomplishments, most recently being awarded Life Membership in May 2019 by NAFSA: Association of International Educators. Her service to NAFSA includes participation at the state, regional and national level, most notably serving as Annual Conference Chair (2015), Vice President for Public Policy and Practice and member of the Board of Directors (2008-2010). She was selected as NAFSA’s Advocate of the Year Award (2012) and recognized by the State of Arkansas (2019) and NAFSA Region III for Outstanding Service to International Education (2011).

On the University of Arkansas campus, DeDe was named Employee of the Year (2007-2008) and was the very first recipient of the Hoyt Purvis Award for Service to International Education (2016).  She has been recognized by multiple colleges and units across campus for distinguish leadership and service.

DeDe is very active with the Arkansas Chapter of the Fulbright Association.  She continues to host visitors from the Fulbright global community who come to the University of Arkansas to learn more about the life of Senator Fulbright and conduct research in the University Libraries Special Collections which houses the Fulbright papers along with other significant archives related to international educational exchange.