Executive Director
[email protected]

• Create and execute a strategic plan for the Padnos International Center that aligns with the university’s overall goals.
• Provide leadership to enhance the PIC’s mission, reputation, and effectiveness.
• Initiate and support programs that promote international education and cross-cultural understanding.
• Establish and maintain partnerships with foreign universities, organizations, and governments.
• Oversee the center’s budget, ensuring effective use of resources.
• Develop and implement policies related to international programs and activities.

Assistant Director
[email protected]

• Responsible for alumni engagement including the online network and international & domestic events
• Serves on the Global Grand Rapids task force and supports all events and initiatives
• Contributes to the development of programs for the Padnos International Center
• Supports the Study Abroad and International Student Teams

Padnos International Center Assistant
[email protected]

• Office Manager
• Assists Executive Director 
• Manages budgets
• Travel & expense forms
• Notary Public
• Workday

Director of Study Abroad and International Partnerships
[email protected]

• Monitor and respond to crisis and risk management related to education abroad
• Manage GVSU’s institutional international partnerships and represent GVSU to international partners
• Review study abroad applications
• Set policies for study abroad and evaluate international activities
• Manage study abroad credit transfer process
• Provide overall management of daily study abroad operations
• Advise faculty, staff and students on study abroad issues and concerns

Study Abroad Advisor
[email protected]

• Advises GVSU study abroad students on financial, academic, cultural, health and safety issues
• Counsels students with unique issues (disabilities, dependents, chronic health issues, identity concerns) to enable successful study abroad participation
• Coordinates study abroad fairs
• Supervises and trains peer adviser staff

Coordinator of Study Abroad and International Partnerships

[email protected]

• Post GVSU Study Abroad Acceptance - Long Term Study Abroad Exchange and Provider Programs
• Pre-Departure Orientations - Policies, Expectations, Cultural Adjustment, Insurance
• Forms - Pre-Departure, Financial Aid Agreement, Study Abroad Budget, Visa Forms, external provider forms
• Course Approvals - GVSU Course Codes, Issues, Gen Eds, Study Abroad Transcript Verification
• Returned Student - Welcome Back Event, Work Abroad Event

Faculty-Led Program Coordinator

[email protected]

•  Assists with the development, assessment, and improvement of Faculty-Led Study-Abroad Programs
• Conducts pre-departure trainings and informational sessions
• Manages logistics to aid in the execution of successful programs
• Assists with problem-solving around visa applications, budgets, and health insurance;
• Renders assistance and aid as needed

International Programs Coordinator

 [email protected]

• Advising and coordinating for Internship and Independent Study experiences abroad.
• Marketing, promotion, and events for Padnos International Center.
• Supervises one student outreach coordinator and leads outreach tasks for PIC.

International Programs Coordinator
[email protected]

• Manages study abroad publications
• Assists with study abroad outreach
• Manages study abroad website
• Oversees social media

International Programs Specialist
[email protected]

• Manages the online portal for study abroad students 

• Responsible for data collection and management to track and improve study abroad programs and agreements with partner universities and/or providers 

• Assists with pre-departure processes for sponsored programs abroad (conferences, sports team travel, etc.) 

Graduate Assistant - Study Abroad

Studies: Public Health, Health Promotion
Studied abroad in: Málaga, Spain
Has traveled to: Spain, Dominican Republic, Bahamas, Canada

Graduate Assistant - Faculty-Led Study Abroad

Master's of Education in Higher Education, College Student Affairs Leadership (CSAL)

Studied abroad in:
Seoul, South Korea

Has traveled to:
Spain, France, Portugal, Canada, Mexico, The Bahamas, Jamaica, Cayman Islands

Director of International Student and Scholar Services
[email protected]

• Advocate for iStudents at GVSU and in the Community

• Primary Immigration Advisor to F-1 and J-1 Students

• Lead ISS Team

• Advance services for iStudents

• Oversee Visiting Scholars and Visiting Staff 

Coordinator International Student Services 

[email protected]

• Support and advocate for international students 
• Help international students adjust culturally, academically, and legally to GVSU and the U.S.
• Serve as a Designated School Official (DSO) for F-1 students and conduct immigration advising
• Connect international students with on- and off-campus resources and facilitate opportunities for iStudents to engage and integrate with our community

Coordinator International Student Services

[email protected]

• International student guidance and support.
• Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).
• Advocacy across campus for resources and support for international students.
• Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 program.
• Student engagement and events.
• Advisor for the International Student Organization (Uniting Nations).

Office Coordinator
[email protected]

• Supports the International Student and Scholar Services Team with background work including booking rooms for events, ordering catering, and arranging meetings for the ISS team.

• Arranges itinerary for GVSU’s International Visiting Scholars from our partner schools.

• Serves as primary contact for our exchange partners who send students and faculty/staff to GVSU.

• Serves as the Alternate Responsible Officer in SEVIS for J-1 students and scholars.

Graduate Assistant - International Student Services

Master's of  Science in Data Science & Analytics 

Studied abroad in:
Michigan, USA

Has traveled to:
South Africa, Zambia, Ethiopia

Meet our Front Desk Workers & Grad Assistants!

Read More about the Front Desk & Grad Assistant Staff

Meet the Peer Adviser Staff!

Peer advisers are an essential part of the PIC Team! They help guide students through the study abroad process. 

Read More About the Peer Adviser Staff