Cultural Conversations: Working with International Graduate Students

Free Conference Call sponsored by ACPA's Commissions for Global Dimensions of Student Development and Graduate and Professional Student Affairs

Date: Wednesday, January 26, 2011 12:00-1:30pm (EST - please make adjustments if you are in a different time zone.) Please register by January 25, 2011.
Conference dial-in number: (712) 432-0075 Participant access code: 177152
Cost: Normal long distance charges will apply. (Callers will be charged for long-distance service on their phone bill.).

Abstract: International graduate students add a rich cultural component to campus environments. However, due to differences in language, culture, and background, this student population also presents challenges to staff, administrators, and faculty working with these students. This Hot Topics dialog will address some main areas related to working with international graduate students.

Description: The number of international graduate students attending U.S. colleges and universities is on a steady increase. This student population adds a rich cultural component to our campus environments. However, due to differences in language, culture, and background, this student population can also present challenges to staff, administrators, and faculty who work and interact directly with these students. In order make sure these students area successful, we also need to ensure we are providing appropriate support and services tailored to the needs of this very diverse group of students. This Hot Topics dialog will address some main areas related to working with international graduate students, including: • Programming for international graduate students • Advising/counseling international graduate students • Handling language issues/barriers • Assisting with acculturation issues • Assessing and attending to the various needs of international graduate students • Setting appropriate expectations for international graduate students • Exploring the cultural perspectives of students from different countries of the world Leading this discussion will be a panel of speakers comprised of student affairs professionals who specialize in working with international students. Additionally, international graduate students will be available to give their own unique perspective on their cultures and experiences. The panelists will be available to discuss and answer questions in regards to working with international graduate students and the unique challenges and needs they bring. Don't miss out on this FREE professional development opportunity

Panelists: Fanta Aw is Assistant Vice President of Campus Life and Director of International Student and Scholar Services at American University in Washington D.C. Ms. Aw oversees administrative, programmatic and personnel operations related to intercultural programs and services at the university. Ms. Aw has close to 20 years of experience in higher education administration and international educational exchange. She is actively engaged in training and consulting on diversity issues and intercultural communication and has conducted training for various higher education and government entities. Ms. Aw has presented/facilitated over a 100 sessions and workshops related to international educational exchange, campus internationalization, intercultural communication and international student services and programs. Ms. Aw is an adjunct faculty in the School of International Service at American University. Ms. Aw holds a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration and an MPA from American University with a concentration in Organization Development. She is currently completing her PhD in Sociology with a concentration transnational migration and international education and training from American University. Ms. Aw is a member of the board of directors of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and a member of the advisory committee for the Institute of Intercultural Management at American University.

Leigh Poole is the Director of International Student Life at the University of Georgia. Ms. Poole provides leadership and oversight for the university’s international programming initiatives including international student orientation, nonresident taxes, cultural events, as well as the advisement of 30 international student organizations. Ms. Poole has approximately 15 years of experience in student affairs administration and international education. She was selected twice as a Fulbright Scholar to Germany and Korea to study their systems of higher education. Ms. Poole has presented a variety of conference sessions and held leadership positions within NAFSA: Association of International Educators, including serving as the Campus and Community Programming Representative and as the Georgia state representative. She has also served as the chairperson for the Georgia Association of International Educators and the Georgia International Leadership Conference. Ms. Poole has authored publications on intercultural interactions, the creation of learning outcomes, as well as a book chapter highlighting the Global Leadership Institute at the University of Georgia. Ms. Poole holds Bachelor’s degrees in English and Spanish from Wofford College. Additionally, she earned her M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina. Currently, Ms. Poole is pursuing a Ph.D. in Student Affairs Administration with a concentration in higher education from the University of Georgia.

Dr. Adria Baker, Executive Director, Office of International Students & Scholars at Rice University, has held various leadership positions in her 25 years of international education. Her focus on public policy issues in international education allows her to serve on NAFSA’s State Whip Network as Texas’ key congressional liaison, the Educational Subcommittee for the Mayor’s Task Force for International Visitors, and the Governor’s Council for the Department of Homeland Security. She led the Committee for an International Education Policy in Texas, which resulted in Texas H.R. 143 and Texas S.R. 532. Adria has written several articles and presented often on subjects including advocacy in international education, international student & scholar advising, foreign credentials evaluation, and international education exchange. She is a Past Chair of NAFSA Region III and is presently on the board for the Fulbright Association-Houston Area Chapter. She studied as a Research Fellow and graduate international student at the University of Costa Rica, and worked in Mexico City teaching English. She received her doctorate from the University of Houston, and MA and BA from Texas Tech University.

International Graduate Student Panelists:

Si-Chi Chin joined The University of Iowa in 2005 as a student in the master's degree program in the School of Library and Information Science and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in the Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Informatics. Born in Taipei, Taiwan, she received a dual B.A. in law and political science, and an M.A. in sociology from National Taiwan University. Her Ph.D. research expands upon her interest in legal informatics through examination of techniques related to text mining. She is the system developer for the site Lekker, Lekker!, the first local ethnic restaurant review web application in Iowa City, Iowa.

Other panelists will also join the discussion.