Jose Fabio Santo Trigo of Cuba became North Carolina State University's first international student in 1892. During the 1950s the university developed international textile and agricultural programs in Peru, and afterwards developed international programs in other countries.

In 1968 Jackson Rigney became NCSU's dean of international programs, reporting to the chancellor. By 1982, an Office of International Programs reported to the provost. During most of the 1980s J. Lawrence Apple was director of the program, and during the 1990s Ed Erickson and Tony Moyer. By 2002 the university had created the position of vice provost for international affairs, first held by L. George Wilson. In 2006 Bailian Li held the position on an interim basis, and in 2007 he became the vice provost.

From the 1970s to the 1990s a number of offices concerning international affairs also existed in the Division of Student Affairs. These included the International Student Office, International Student Advising (originally Foreign Student Advising), and Study Abroad.

As of 2007, the vice provost for International Affairs was the leader of international programs at NCSU. The Office of International Affairs promotes a global perspective into all functions of teaching, research, and extension/engagement, and it strengthens the university's international presence in a global society.

The Office of International Affairs has consisted of the following units: Administration Office (OIA), Office of International Services (OIS), the Study Abroad Office (SAO), and the North Carolina Japan Center (NCJC). The office has also led the coordination of the University Committee on International Programs and the International Operations Council.