Buckley promoted
Erika Buckley is named the director of international student services
Erika Buckley is named the director of international student services
As Monmouth College’s international student body continues to expand, so does its support staff.
Erika Buckley has been named director of international student services. The new position was created to continue to meet the needs of Monmouth’s growing international student population, which now includes students from more than 30 countries.
“It’s definitely going to help us strengthen the work we are already doing with our international students,” said Buckley, who began her Monmouth career in 2014 as assistant director of intercultural life. She took over as the program’s director last fall.
“For a smaller school, we have a very decent amount of international students,” added Buckley, who recently attended the annual National Association of International Educators conference in Denver. “We want to make sure we continue to have the framework in place to support them.”
Buckley said she was attracted to the College because of the composition of the Office of Intercultural Life.
“The thing that made me apply to Monmouth was because the domestic multicultural student and international student services were combined into one office, unlike at most other schools,” she said. “We really have a nice diversity of cultures at Monmouth. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Monmouth officials said they are excited about the potential Buckley’s new position has to assist the College’s student body.
“The Division of Students Affairs strongly believes that with the growing international student population, we need to have a dedicated position to be an advocate for international students, helping international students with their needs on campus as well as with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program), a federal government agency which enforces international student rules and regulations in the United States,” said associate dean of students Mohsin Masood. “To perform this important task, Erika Buckley was the logical choice, since she had worked with international students for the past two years and had already been trained in SEVIS rules. Besides, Erika has also developed excellent relations with international students on campus and has earned their respect.”
Part of Buckley’s ongoing responsibilities will be to continue to keep current with regulations and procedures that cover the recruitment of international students. She is a Designated School Official for working with the federal government on issues related to international students, which frequently includes students’ I-20 document that allows them to study in the United States.
“I’m not doing the actual recruitment of the students, but I will be very involved in helping them with their I-20s,” Buckley said. “It really does take a lot of work with the government. I think a lot of people don’t truly understand what it takes. There are a lot of limits and regulations.”
In her previous position at Monmouth, Buckley also oversaw a handful of organizations. But with the split in duties, a different staff member will now advise Umoja, Raices and Colorful Voices of Praise.
“Both positions are underneath the umbrella of Intercultural Life, and the positions will work together, collaborating on a variety of programs throughout the year,” said Buckley, who will advise the International Club and LGBTQIA-Spectrum. She will also oversee the host parent program for international students.
Buckley studied psychology at Grand Valley State (Mich.) University, and she earned a master’s degree in sociology from Eastern Michigan University. She taught English in South Korea for a year before working at Albion (Mich.) College as assistant director for global diversity, where she advised 11 student organizations.
Buckley’s office will remain in the Intercultural House, located on East Broadway across from the Center for Science and Business.
“Many people assume that only international students live in the house, but it’s the Intercultural House, not the International House,” she said. “It’s open to everybody – all cultures. The different populations that the house supports really interact with each other and support each other. We want to make that doesn’t get lost in this transition process.”
Erika Buckley has been named director of international student services. The new position was created to continue to meet the needs of Monmouth’s growing international student population, which now includes students from more than 30 countries.
“It’s definitely going to help us strengthen the work we are already doing with our international students,” said Buckley, who began her Monmouth career in 2014 as assistant director of intercultural life. She took over as the program’s director last fall.
“For a smaller school, we have a very decent amount of international students,” added Buckley, who recently attended the annual National Association of International Educators conference in Denver. “We want to make sure we continue to have the framework in place to support them.”
Buckley said she was attracted to the College because of the composition of the Office of Intercultural Life.
“The thing that made me apply to Monmouth was because the domestic multicultural student and international student services were combined into one office, unlike at most other schools,” she said. “We really have a nice diversity of cultures at Monmouth. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Monmouth officials said they are excited about the potential Buckley’s new position has to assist the College’s student body.
“The Division of Students Affairs strongly believes that with the growing international student population, we need to have a dedicated position to be an advocate for international students, helping international students with their needs on campus as well as with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program), a federal government agency which enforces international student rules and regulations in the United States,” said associate dean of students Mohsin Masood. “To perform this important task, Erika Buckley was the logical choice, since she had worked with international students for the past two years and had already been trained in SEVIS rules. Besides, Erika has also developed excellent relations with international students on campus and has earned their respect.”
Part of Buckley’s ongoing responsibilities will be to continue to keep current with regulations and procedures that cover the recruitment of international students. She is a Designated School Official for working with the federal government on issues related to international students, which frequently includes students’ I-20 document that allows them to study in the United States.
“I’m not doing the actual recruitment of the students, but I will be very involved in helping them with their I-20s,” Buckley said. “It really does take a lot of work with the government. I think a lot of people don’t truly understand what it takes. There are a lot of limits and regulations.”
In her previous position at Monmouth, Buckley also oversaw a handful of organizations. But with the split in duties, a different staff member will now advise Umoja, Raices and Colorful Voices of Praise.
“Both positions are underneath the umbrella of Intercultural Life, and the positions will work together, collaborating on a variety of programs throughout the year,” said Buckley, who will advise the International Club and LGBTQIA-Spectrum. She will also oversee the host parent program for international students.
Buckley studied psychology at Grand Valley State (Mich.) University, and she earned a master’s degree in sociology from Eastern Michigan University. She taught English in South Korea for a year before working at Albion (Mich.) College as assistant director for global diversity, where she advised 11 student organizations.
Buckley’s office will remain in the Intercultural House, located on East Broadway across from the Center for Science and Business.
“Many people assume that only international students live in the house, but it’s the Intercultural House, not the International House,” she said. “It’s open to everybody – all cultures. The different populations that the house supports really interact with each other and support each other. We want to make that doesn’t get lost in this transition process.”
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