NSU International Programs executive director has big plans

With the recent addition of Stephanie Goad, the new Executive Director for Northeastern State Universitys International Programs, the NSU community can plan on a new, revamped international presence on campus.

Goad, who earned a Communications and a Spanish degree from Missouri Southern State University in Joplin, and her masters from Missouri State University in Springfield, began her career as a newspaper reporter, columnist and photographer before returning to MSSU to work in the Institute of International Studies.She spent 13 years at MSSU as the international student advisor and exchange program coordinator before starting at NSU.

Although Goad never thought she would leave Joplin or her position at MSSU, after a friend forwarded her the advertisement for the Executive Director of International Programs position, she knew the job was for her.

A good friend and coworker had forwarded me the job posting for the ED position here at NSU, and once I read the job description and saw the required education and qualifications, I realized I was more than qualified to do the job, since it was an amalgamation of all I had been doing. But this would allow me to have some control over the direction of the department, and I would have a team to help me, said Goad.

Goad explained that while she loved her position at MSSU, there was no opportunity for advancement, and a fresh start was just what she needed, especially following the loss of her home in the Joplin tornado in 2011.

Not knowing where Tahlequah, Okla. was even located, oneSaturdaymorning, accompanied by her husband, David, and oldest son, Zac, she loaded up the car and entered the GPS coordinates, heading to Oklahoma.

We fell in love with Tahlequah, its gorgeous university, its charming downtown area, the rolling hills, and the fact that the town was steeped in Native American history. I went back and filled out the application for the job and submitted my resume, said Goad.

Since accepting the position at NSU, Goad has hit the ground running, aggressively laying the foundation for a successful International Program, focusing on recruitment and retention.

Although enticing and encouraging students from around the world to attend NSU has been a major priority for Goad and her staff, she has also expressed the importance of promoting studying abroad to US students.

We've added much needed international student services and programs, and have formed new agreements while revitalizing the old, said Goad. As we continue to build programs for our 170 international students and scholars, we are shifting more focus to building our study abroad programs, and it is our goal that within the next year, we'll be able to offer more affordable study abroad opportunities that will allow our domestic students to study abroad for what they would pay here at NSU and use their financial aid and scholarships to do it.

To prove that all the hard work has been paying off, IP has seem an increase from three scholars to 22 in its new scholar and teaching program over the last year, and NSUs international student population has increased by 42 students since 2013.Goad fully expects these numbers to continue to rise with several new joint programs being put into place.

To support international students already on campus, Goad and her staff created an international student organization last year to provide opportunities for the international students to get to know one another, participate in cultural activities and experience American life outside of the classroom.Although these events are extremely beneficial to the exchange students, they also provide innumerable opportunities for students, staff and community members to expand their personal horizons and knowledge about the global world.

The department adds diversity to this campus, probably more diversity than our Americans will ever know in their lifetime.International students add diversity and global perspectives to the classroom, which is an incredible way to teach our American students tolerance and sensitivity to other cultures, said Goad. Some of our students will never visit another country, so this may be the only exposure they'll get. It's just essential to have this kind of diversity on a college campus. Where there is mutual cultural understanding, there is usually peace, and I think this sort of thing, if more widespread, would foster a better, more peacefulworld.

Goad explained that a major focus this year has bee inviting the campus and community to all of the programs cultural events.These events provide the students the opportunity to shine and educate locals about their countries, with the end goal being to overcome stereotypes, preconceived notions and what Americans think they know about other cultures.

Many community members have taken the opportunity to further learn about these students cultures by participating in the Friendship Family program, where international students are paired with a friendship family who will invite them over for dinner, take them on outings, and meet them for coffee and conversation, and many students have taken then opportunity to become an International Buddy to an exchange student.

Participating in one of these programs will change your world, I promise, said Goad. And, it will make a difference for these students who are an ocean away from their families, learning in a culture and language not their own. It may just bring home a little closer to them for a little while during their time here.

Goad would also like to see International Programs get more involved in the fund raising arena, with hopes to be able to offer scholarships for international students and to decrease the costs for domestic students who wish to study abroad.

Many American students will never step a foot onto foreign soil, and sometimes providingan opportunity, along with alittle bit of scholarship moneyto help make things a little more affordable for them can make a huge difference, said Goad. We want to turn out quality, educated students who are "world wise" and capable of competing on a the world stage because we can no longer think solely on a local plain. We have to change the paradigm, give our students a global perspective and help them become good global citizens because business has gone global, and you have to think outside our US borders to compete these days.

On December 3, International Programs in conjunction with the Student Health Center will be hosting a Celebrations Around the World event from 10 am to 4 pm, and will also be hosting Desi Night, an Indian holiday food festival, talent show and fashion show onDecember 6 at 7 pmin the NSU Jazz Lab.

For more information and to stay up-to-date on International Program news and events please visit the following Facebook pages, NSU International Programs, NSU International RiverHawks and NSU Study Abroad or contact International Programs at 918-444-2048.