by Elizabeth Ashford
Staff Writer
Appalachian State University plans to form an international faculty
association to help the university’s international faculty
and student population grow.
“We’re looking at the possibility of establishing an
International Faculty, Staff and Spouse Association with the whole
purpose of connecting and getting people together from all over
the world,” Associate Vice Chancellor for Diversity Dr. Harry
L. Williams said.
“The whole concept of establishing an international faculty
and staff association came from Ms. Carter McGarry,” Williams
said.
L. Carter Hammett-McGarry is the Program Director for the Office
of General Studies.
“The idea is to improve the quality of life for international
faculty, staff and their families, and to encourage international
students in their transition to American universities,” Hammett-McGarry
said. “Over the years it’s been nationally proven that
if you have an association specifically dedicated to international
life and culture and concerns, it becomes a way to invite more international
faculty and students to make Appalachian their academic home,”
Hammett-McGarry said.
“One of our major initiatives is to help create and provide
opportunities for our students to have international experiences,
also abroad international exchanges, and the more we are connected,
the better,” Williams said. “We’ve never had that
group together before at one time, and it was great to see people
in the room from all over the world.”
Dr. Unal O. Boya is an international faculty member from Turkey.
“This is an initial step to create an atmosphere for the international
faculty, staff and spouses to get to know each other, to help recruit
international faculty and staff, and to assist them to adjust to
life in Boone and at ASU,” Boya said. “This association
will also help recruit both undergraduate and graduate international
students. Ultimately, we would like to have a diversified community
at Appalachian, and our efforts will focus on accomplishing that
goal,” Boya said.
“The group voted unanimously to establish [itself] here at
Appalachian as an association,” Williams said. The group will
help us when we bring international faculty members here to have
an association for them to connect with,” Williams said.
Patrick Mbajekwe is an international faculty member from Africa,
and attended the meeting.
“The idea is expanding the international curriculum into the
ASU curriculum,” Mbajekwe said. He also said the association
could allow international faculty to bring international visitors
onto the campus.
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