The College moves to increase services and opportunities surrounding its popular international programs.
With its international programs and enrollment on the rise, Keuka College has created a Global Affairs Office to oversee not only overseas programs but in-country support and services.
“In today’s global economy, it is important to train students for the challenges and opportunities of the global community,” said College Vice President for Enrollment Management Mark Petrie. “The Global Affairs Office expands our leadership role in developing, promoting, and supporting international initiatives for students, faculty, and staff.”
Keuka College Vice President for Enrollment Management Mark Petrie addresses the audience at the 2019 winter meeting in Sri Lanka of the Association of Southeast Asia Institutes of Higher Learning. Keuka College has long maintained educational partnerships in Southeast Asia.
The office will be directed by Jen Alessi '17 M'21, the College’s Director of Global Affairs. A Keuka College alumna, Alessi also chairs the College’s International Education Committee and is the main stateside point of contact for Keuka China Programs International.
She said the office will align with the College’s strategic planning.
“One of our key values is diversity and global perspective,” she said. “By creating the Global Affairs Office, that’s exactly what we’re doing: not only expanding partnerships abroad but giving our students on campus more opportunities to gain those global perspectives.”
Also serving in the office will be Dean of International Programs-USA Ann Tuttle, and Dean of International Programs-Asia Gary Giss.
Among the primary goals of the new office will be updating and executing a new three-year plan for the College’s international programs. Despite the pandemic-generated challenges of the past 18 months, enrollment in the College’s China and Vietnam programs has remained strong. Building on this success is a top priority.
Additional responsibilities of the Global Affairs Office will include overseeing or assisting with:
-In-country and domestic international enrollment;
-Study-abroad and student-exchange opportunities;
-International student support services.
The College launched its first international partnership – the Keuka China Programs – 20 years ago. In 2010, the Keuka Vietnam Programs were added. The programs, which award management and accounting degrees, have continued to grow over the years with a new partner university joining the Vietnam Programs this year.
“The new Global Affairs Office will allow us to take greater advantage of the wonderful international opportunities we have on campus because of our partnerships abroad,” said Vice President Petrie.
