The Global Education Office can trace its origins at Keene State College to an educational exchange established and managed by the Education Department with the University of Derby in England during the 1970s. The primary purpose of this exchange was to have a venue in England for KSC education majors to do student teaching. In 1975, a group of KSC students undertook the first exchange to a non-English speaking country with a trip to Quebec, and a year later a group of KSC students accompanied by a faculty member went to France.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the international office at Keene State College began to broaden its offerings and became involved in several different consortia agreements. Some KSC students began to participate in programs offered by program providers. In the mid-1990s, a decision was reached to create a staff position for the director of the international office, and Lindy Cogeswheel was appointed head of the office. Under her leadership, Keene State College became part of the National Student Exchange in 1997. With support at the highest levels of the KSC administration, international exchanges and relations expanded and diversified in the next few years. Memorandums of Understanding were entered into with universities in Russia, France, Ireland, the UK, Ecuador, and Australia. There was also a relatively strong flow of international students coming to study at KSC from various countries, including Africa and Asia.

The growth and diversification of KSC international educational activities continued under the leadership of Marche Brown, who was the first full-time director selected after a national search. During her years of oversight, policies and procedures were streamlined and made more consistent and several new program opportunities were entered into, including a service learning program in Peru. Dr. Skye Stephenson became the GEO director in October 2008.