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Office of International Programs

OIP's mission is fulfilled by the serving students and scholars coming to the United States and by enabling WKU students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to study oversea. These activities are undertaken by WKU's International Students & Scholar Services and WKU's Office of Study Abroad & Global Learning.

> Meet International faculty & staff

Dr. James Flynn
Chief International Officer (interim)

Dr. Jim Flynn, interim Chief International Officer and Professor of English, joined the WKU faculty in 1972. Jim has taught or directed more than twenty study abroad or international educational programs in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and Italy, with side excursions to France and the Netherlands. He serves as a WKU representative on the Board of the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA), a consortium of twenty-four colleges and universities which offers study abroad and internship opportunities in English-speaking regions of the world. Jim has also served in a number of administrative roles during his career at WKU including Head of the English Department, English Graduate Adviser, Assistant to the Provost for Planning, interim Head of the Art Department (twice), and interim Dean of the University College. Jim earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees at WKU and his Ph.D. degree at Auburn University. He has taught and researched various topics including medieval British literature, Irish literature and culture, and Dante. In addition to publishing and presenting a number of academic papers, he is the co-author of a writing handbook. Jim is happy to be a member of the International team during this current transitional period.

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Dustin McWhorter
Business Coordinator, Office of International Programs

Dustin joined OIP in April 2009. Dustin was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY and attended Greenwood High School. He then traveled to the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelors degree is Business Management. After four years Dustin decided to return to his hometown to attend Western Kentucky University and graduated with a second bachelor degree in Accounting in May of 2008. Since then he has worked as an accountant for Fruit of the Loom as well as M.A. Williams Construction. Starting in the Fall of 2009 Dustin will begin pursuing his MBA.

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Bernie Strenecky
Scholar-in-Residence

Bernard J. Strenecky presently serves as the Scholar in Residence at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His responsibilities in the Office of International Programs are the development of innovative curriculum and program design and the establishment of faculty development programs. He holds a master's degree from the University of Scranton and a doctoral degree in Education and Curriculum Design from the University of Rochester. Dr. Strenecky's recent publications and professional presentations center on the development of interdisciplinary international service learning program design. Dr. Strenecky has taught or consulted in over fifty countries. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to international education development and service learning. The highest of these honors is the Gold Crown of Merit which was awarded by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for outstanding contributions to the development of the country of Barbados. This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a non-Barbadian citizen. Dr. Strenecky serves in the Diplomatic Corp of Barbados and holds the title of Honorary Consul from Barbados to Kentucky. He is an active Rotarian and was designated Rotarian of the Year for his contributions to international understanding in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In concert with The Prospect/Goshen Rotary Club, Semester at Sea and Western Kentucky University, he has developed a humanitarian project entitled the $100 Solution. Through this project, students are provided with knowledge, skills and funds which are used to solve social problems at the national and international levels. To date, projects have been established in twelve international areas.

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Office of Study Abroad & Global Learning

Our Mission

We serve the WKU community by engaging students, faculty and staff in diverse, educational, and cultural experiences through faculty led, exchange, consortia and other study abroad opportunities.

Explore the Study Abroad web site for information about opportunities to study and conduct research outside the United States.

Jerry Barnaby
Director, Study Abroad & Global Learning (Interim)

Jerry is the interim director of WKU's study abroad and global learning office. Prior to this, he was is responsible for International Journalism & Media Management Training program at WKU during which he worked with a series of partners in Jordan, traveling there several times. He taught for at San Francisco State University's Broadcasting and Electronic Communication Arts Department after leaving WKU in 2004 where he was Director of WKU's Educational Telecommunications. Jerry served as the IJMMT Project Co-Director from its inception in 2000 until 2004, which took him to Indonesia and Egypt to lead training sessions. Jerry has undergraduate degrees from the University of New Mexico and Western Kentucky University and earned his Masters degree in Communication Technology and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. He has 20+ years of experience in media production, management, writing and training.

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Judy Scott
Office Associate, Office of International Programs

Judy received her Associate's Degree in Banking and Bachelor's Degree in Business and is an alumnus of Western Kentucky University. After working in the public school system for 17 years, she recently returned to campus to manage the Office of Internationalization.

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Melinda Farmer
Study Abroad Advisor

Melinda earned her bachelor’s degree in French and Religious Studies at WKU in 1999. Following several years in the international non-profit sector, she earned her master’s degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University. Her focus on international education has included study abroad in Ghana, teaching in China, service-learning in the Dominican Republic, and most recently a nearly two-year stint in the Netherlands. Prior to joining the Office of International Programs, Melinda served as Education Abroad Advisor and part-time instructor of Intercultural Communication at the University of Kentucky. Her academic and personal interests include service-learning, global health issues, and studying foreign languages.

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International Student & Scholar Services

Our Mission

We serve WKU’s international student, scholars and faculty through immigration services, cultural advising, advocacy, and cross-cultural programming and training.

At the ISSS web site, you will find information about coming to WKU as an international student, faculty or staff. Also, if you are in a WKU department interested in hiring an international scholar or staff member, the information your need is also found at the ISSS web site.

Tarek Elshayeb

Director, Office of International Student and Scholar Services

Tarek earn ed his B.A. degree from Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt , and his MHRD, Master’s in Human Recourse Development , from Clemson University, South Carolina . He served as an International Student and Scholar Advisor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) , and later as the Associate Director of International Student Services at State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh . Most recently, he served as the Director of International Student Services Director of International Student Services at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW). Tarek joined WKU in the summer of 2009 as (ISSS) to provide leadership for the staff and get involved in all aspects of programming, immigration advising, and international student support. Through years of working with international students and scholars from all over the world, Tarek ha s developed an interest in other countries’ history and cultures. He has also had the opportunity to travel for personal and business purposes to the following countries: Canada, Bahrain, Brazil, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Zambia

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Beth Murphy
Assistant Director, ISSS

Beth has been involved in the field of international education for about 20 years. After earning her BS degree, she received her MA in TESOL from Penn State. In 1990, she began her career as International Teaching Assistant Coordinator at Penn State. Beth later served as Advocate for International Family Housing at Indiana University and, in 1998, and as an ESL instructor at Eastern Illinois University. In 2000, she accepted the position of Director of The Center for English as a Second Language at Brescia University. Beth then moved to Murray State University where she was an International Student/Scholar Advisor and ESL Student Advisor/Instructor before accepting the position of Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services at WKU in 2003. Beth has lived in England and studied in Germany. Her other travels include: the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Estonia, Sweden, and Denmark.

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Bethany Oré
International Student Advisor

Bethany Oré is the Immigration Specialist at ISSS. She currently works primarily with faculty and staff for H-1B visa’s and J-1 students, researchers, and scholars. She is a WKU alumni and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Student Affairs and a Certificate in International Student Services. She enjoys traveling abroad and has visited France, Germany, Austria and Peru.

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Andrea Ford
International Student Advisor

Andrea Ford is a native of Bowling Green and earned her Bachelor's from WKU. Andrea first began working on campus as a student worker in 1986 and then as a full-time staff member in 1996 for the Office of Admissions. After management positions for other area businesses, she returned to WKU in September 2005 to work with ISSS and is currently working on her Master's Degree in International Relations. Andrea loves cross-cultural communications and working with international students. She studied abroad in high school and hopes to travel more extensively in the future.

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The Office of International Programs employs several dedicated undergraduate and graduate students. Meet them at each office's site.

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WKU > OIP > About Us
About Us Contact Us News & Events Blogs & Links Crossroads Global Encounters Grant Programs Global Studies IEC OIP Home	Office of International Programs OIP's mission is fulfilled by the serving students and scholars coming to the United States and by enabling WKU students, faculty, and staff the opportunity to study oversea. These activities are undertaken by WKU's International Students & Scholar Services and WKU's Office of Study Abroad & Global Learning. > Meet International faculty & staff Dr. James Flynn Chief International Officer (interim) Dr. Jim Flynn, interim Chief International Officer and Professor of English, joined the WKU faculty in 1972. Jim has taught or directed more than twenty study abroad or international educational programs in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and Italy, with side excursions to France and the Netherlands. He serves as a WKU representative on the Board of the Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA), a consortium of twenty-four colleges and universities which offers study abroad and internship opportunities in English-speaking regions of the world. Jim has also served in a number of administrative roles during his career at WKU including Head of the English Department, English Graduate Adviser, Assistant to the Provost for Planning, interim Head of the Art Department (twice), and interim Dean of the University College. Jim earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees at WKU and his Ph.D. degree at Auburn University. He has taught and researched various topics including medieval British literature, Irish literature and culture, and Dante. In addition to publishing and presenting a number of academic papers, he is the co-author of a writing handbook. Jim is happy to be a member of the International team during this current transitional period. TOP Dustin McWhorter Business Coordinator, Office of International Programs Dustin joined OIP in April 2009. Dustin was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY and attended Greenwood High School. He then traveled to the University of Kentucky where he received a Bachelors degree is Business Management. After four years Dustin decided to return to his hometown to attend Western Kentucky University and graduated with a second bachelor degree in Accounting in May of 2008. Since then he has worked as an accountant for Fruit of the Loom as well as M.A. Williams Construction. Starting in the Fall of 2009 Dustin will begin pursuing his MBA. TOP Bernie Strenecky Scholar-in-Residence Bernard J. Strenecky presently serves as the Scholar in Residence at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His responsibilities in the Office of International Programs are the development of innovative curriculum and program design and the establishment of faculty development programs. He holds a master's degree from the University of Scranton and a doctoral degree in Education and Curriculum Design from the University of Rochester. Dr. Strenecky's recent publications and professional presentations center on the development of interdisciplinary international service learning program design. Dr. Strenecky has taught or consulted in over fifty countries. He has received numerous awards for his contributions to international education development and service learning. The highest of these honors is the Gold Crown of Merit which was awarded by her Majesty Queen Elizabeth for outstanding contributions to the development of the country of Barbados. This award is the highest honor that can be bestowed on a non-Barbadian citizen. Dr. Strenecky serves in the Diplomatic Corp of Barbados and holds the title of Honorary Consul from Barbados to Kentucky. He is an active Rotarian and was designated Rotarian of the Year for his contributions to international understanding in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. In concert with The Prospect/Goshen Rotary Club, Semester at Sea and Western Kentucky University, he has developed a humanitarian project entitled the $100 Solution. Through this project, students are provided with knowledge, skills and funds which are used to solve social problems at the national and international levels. To date, projects have been established in twelve international areas. TOP Office of Study Abroad & Global Learning Our Mission We serve the WKU community by engaging students, faculty and staff in diverse, educational, and cultural experiences through faculty led, exchange, consortia and other study abroad opportunities. Explore the Study Abroad web site for information about opportunities to study and conduct research outside the United States. Jerry Barnaby Director, Study Abroad & Global Learning (Interim) Jerry is the interim director of WKU's study abroad and global learning office. Prior to this, he was is responsible for International Journalism & Media Management Training program at WKU during which he worked with a series of partners in Jordan, traveling there several times. He taught for at San Francisco State University's Broadcasting and Electronic Communication Arts Department after leaving WKU in 2004 where he was Director of WKU's Educational Telecommunications. Jerry served as the IJMMT Project Co-Director from its inception in 2000 until 2004, which took him to Indonesia and Egypt to lead training sessions. Jerry has undergraduate degrees from the University of New Mexico and Western Kentucky University and earned his Masters degree in Communication Technology and Policy from the University of Texas at Austin. He has 20+ years of experience in media production, management, writing and training. TOP Judy Scott Office Associate, Office of International Programs Judy received her Associate's Degree in Banking and Bachelor's Degree in Business and is an alumnus of Western Kentucky University. After working in the public school system for 17 years, she recently returned to campus to manage the Office of Internationalization. TOP Melinda Farmer Study Abroad Advisor Melinda earned her bachelor’s degree in French and Religious Studies at WKU in 1999. Following several years in the international non-profit sector, she earned her master’s degree in Intercultural Relations from Lesley University. Her focus on international education has included study abroad in Ghana, teaching in China, service-learning in the Dominican Republic, and most recently a nearly two-year stint in the Netherlands. Prior to joining the Office of International Programs, Melinda served as Education Abroad Advisor and part-time instructor of Intercultural Communication at the University of Kentucky. Her academic and personal interests include service-learning, global health issues, and studying foreign languages. TOP International Student & Scholar Services Our Mission We serve WKU’s international student, scholars and faculty through immigration services, cultural advising, advocacy, and cross-cultural programming and training. At the ISSS web site, you will find information about coming to WKU as an international student, faculty or staff. Also, if you are in a WKU department interested in hiring an international scholar or staff member, the information your need is also found at the ISSS web site. Tarek Elshayeb Director, Office of International Student and Scholar Services Tarek earn ed his B.A. degree from Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt , and his MHRD, Master’s in Human Recourse Development , from Clemson University, South Carolina . He served as an International Student and Scholar Advisor at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) , and later as the Associate Director of International Student Services at State University of New York (SUNY) at Plattsburgh . Most recently, he served as the Director of International Student Services Director of International Student Services at Indiana University-Purdue University at Fort Wayne (IPFW). Tarek joined WKU in the summer of 2009 as (ISSS) to provide leadership for the staff and get involved in all aspects of programming, immigration advising, and international student support. Through years of working with international students and scholars from all over the world, Tarek ha s developed an interest in other countries’ history and cultures. He has also had the opportunity to travel for personal and business purposes to the following countries: Canada, Bahrain, Brazil, Cyprus, Egypt, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, United Arab Emirates, and Zambia TOP Beth Murphy Assistant Director, ISSS Beth has been involved in the field of international education for about 20 years. After earning her BS degree, she received her MA in TESOL from Penn State. In 1990, she began her career as International Teaching Assistant Coordinator at Penn State. Beth later served as Advocate for International Family Housing at Indiana University and, in 1998, and as an ESL instructor at Eastern Illinois University. In 2000, she accepted the position of Director of The Center for English as a Second Language at Brescia University. Beth then moved to Murray State University where she was an International Student/Scholar Advisor and ESL Student Advisor/Instructor before accepting the position of Coordinator of International Student and Scholar Services at WKU in 2003. Beth has lived in England and studied in Germany. Her other travels include: the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Greece, Spain, Austria, Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Macedonia, Estonia, Sweden, and Denmark. TOP Bethany Oré International Student Advisor Bethany Oré is the Immigration Specialist at ISSS. She currently works primarily with faculty and staff for H-1B visa’s and J-1 students, researchers, and scholars. She is a WKU alumni and is pursuing her Master’s Degree in Student Affairs and a Certificate in International Student Services. She enjoys traveling abroad and has visited France, Germany, Austria and Peru. TOP Andrea Ford International Student Advisor Andrea Ford is a native of Bowling Green and earned her Bachelor's from WKU. Andrea first began working on campus as a student worker in 1986 and then as a full-time staff member in 1996 for the Office of Admissions. After management positions for other area businesses, she returned to WKU in September 2005 to work with ISSS and is currently working on her Master's Degree in International Relations. Andrea loves cross-cultural communications and working with international students. She studied abroad in high school and hopes to travel more extensively in the future. TOP The Office of International Programs employs several dedicated undergraduate and graduate students. Meet them at each office's site. TOP
Office of International Programs 128 Grise Hall • 1906 College Heights Boulevard Bowling Green, KY 42101-1064 Phone: (270) 745-5334 • Fax: (270) 745-2883 WKU@2009 • Best viewed @ 1024 x 768 Resolution or higher Last Updated: `19-Nov-2009` • Accessibility Statement • ADA Plugins