Meet the Office of Global Education Team

• Oversees the Office of Global Education's mission and work.
• Builds and maintains international partnerships.
• Assists faculty in pursuit of global connections (COIL, fellowships, exchange, etc.).
• Has spent time studying and working in Cuba, studying in Mexico (Yucatán), studying in Spain, working in Costa Rica, and traveling in Japan, Guyana, Argentina, Canada, Morocco, and western Europe.

• Advises F-1 International Students and J-1 Exchange Visitors as the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO) and Exchange Visitor Advisor (EVA) on visa status maintenance, cultural and academic adjustment, and work authorization.
• Admits incoming international exchange and visiting students from SUNY Oneonta international partner institutions.
• Program coordinator and advisor for all SUNY Oneonta study abroad programs.
• Has spent time living in Austria, studying in India, working as an ELL instructor in South Korea, and traveling to countries throughout Europe and Asia.

• Assists with developing, launching, and managing international faculty-led programs in collaboration with faculty leaders and departments
• Advises students on faculty-led programs and American College of Greece study abroad program
• Assists with planning and implementation of education abroad and other office-wide events
• International student (F-1) and scholar/professor (J-1) services
• International Peer Mentor supervisor
• Exchange Partner contact for inbound students
• Has spent time traveling in Australia, China, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Cambodia, Sri Lanka, The Netherlands, and Costa Rica

• SUNY Oneonta study abroad programs (Greece, Sweden, Finland, Ghana, South Korea, Japan, Netherlands, Germany)
• Exchange Partner contact for outbound students
• Student Assistants supervisor
• Has spent time traveling throughout the United Kingdom (in England, Scotland, and Wales) as well as Canada

Countries I have visited: Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Egypt, France

About me: Hello! My name is Kelly Acen, and I am a junior Dietetics major. I am an international student from Uganda. I love nature and the outdoors, as well as crocheting. A fun fact about me is that I've crossed the equator four times in one day.

Countries I have visited: Guyana, Italy, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, The Bahamas, France, Curacao, St. Thomas, Canada, England, Panama, Turks and Caicos, and Trinidad and Tobago.

About me: My name is Nadya, I am a Sophomore Music Industry major with a minor in Communication Studies. I'm currently a Peer Mentor for the Office of Equity and Inclusion and I am the President of Music Industry Club. I am from Queens, New York, and some of my hobbies include playing piano, guitar, bass, baking, and traveling!

About Me: I'm from Venezuela. Bilingual in Spanish and English. I'm a non-traditional student, majoring in Dietetics. I like listening to music, playing any sports (mostly soccer and tennis). You can find me studying or at the gym.

Something on my bucket list: Visit Spain to attend a game of my favorite soccer team, Real Madrid

Why I wanted to become a peer mentor: Being a non-traditional international student, I understood during my first semester how intimidating a new start in a different country can be with a different culture and being completely out of your comfort zone, it shows how small we are in a world full of opportunity where meeting people is really important. Understanding this and going through this situation in first person makes me want to help others and support them so the adaptation process is less difficult.

Advice to International Students: Don't be afraid to talk and try connecting with others. There is a strong welcoming culture around campus. Attend activities, join clubs, talk to your professors, but most important don't be afraid of being yourself.

About Me: I am an international student from Nepal. I enjoy meeting new people and learning their cultures. In my free time, I like traveling, watching movies and swimming.

Something on my bucket list: Summit Everest!

Why I wanted to become a peer mentor: As an International student myself who has been a mentee, I wanted to become a peer mentor to be someone international students can rely on for support, friendship, and guidance during their transition.

Advice to International Students: Don’t be afraid to ask questions or reach out for help—everyone is here to support you! Be open to new experiences and remember that it’s okay to feel overwhelmed at times. You will just experience time flies by when you go with the flow!