Staff Bios
Associate Vice Chancellor
Jesse Lutabingwa, Ph.D. Associate Vice Chancellor
With more than 20 years of experience in International Education and Development, Jesse is responsible for providing leadership in advocating for, supporting and pursuing the university's goals for international education and development. In this regard, his most important priorities include: collaborating with faculty to further internationalize the curriculum; advocating for programs of study that prepare students to be globally competent; identifying opportunities for faculty to acquire international education experiences; serving the large and diverse population of international students and visiting scholars; and expanding the boundaries of Appalachian’s community engagement beyond the U.S. borders.
Originally from Tanzania, Jesse has traveled extensively in Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, and Western Europe. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Economics with a Political Science minor; a Master’s degree in International Development Management, and a Ph.D. in Public Administration. He finds fulfillment in making a difference in the lives of people, especially in developing countries.
He enjoys camping and the outdoors.
Office Phone: (828) 262-2046
Office Hours: 238 I.G. Greer Hall, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday by appointment
Email: lutabingwajl@appstate.edu
Marty McCormick, Business Officer
Marty McCormick is the Business Officer and Executive Assistant to the Associate Vice Chancellor. She has been with Appalachian State University since 2004 and with the Office of International Education and Developement since 2006. Reporting to the Associate Vice Chancellor, Marty is responsible for all office financial functions, grant administration, supervision of the Office Manager and front office staff as well as assistant duties of the AVC.
Originally from Colorado, Marty has lived in New York, Washington, Oregon, North Carolina, and now resides in Tennessee. She holds an Associate of Arts degree in Liberal Arts. She earned a BA in English and a BFA in Film/Video Production from the University of Colorado, Boulder. Her twenty years of professional experience ranges from Executive Assistant with Davis Oil Company, Order Analyst in various corporate institutions such as Mitsubishi-Caterpillar, purchasing in JILA (Joint Institute for Astrophysics) at the University of Colorado, Boulder/NIST (National Institute of Standards and Tests), to teaching middle school Language Arts.
Marty has traveled in Mexico, Canada, Peru, and Bolivia and is looking forward to further travels around the world. Her interests include backpacking, reading, politics, and film with her free time often spent taking photos, making experimental films or hiking.
Office phone : (828) 262-2046
Office Hours: 238 I.G. Greer Hall, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday - Friday
Email: mccormickml@appstate.edu
Kelley Wolcott, Office Manager
Kelley Wolcott has worked as Office Manager in the Office of International Education and Development since April 2008. She manages the workflow in the front office assisting students, staff, and faculty. She supervises and works closely with student employees. She manages the daily needs of the Office and assists the Business Officer.
Kelley has twenty years experience in management field and has worked in various areas mainly in the special education field working with student and adults with learning, mental and physical disabilities.
She enjoys spending time with her family and many different areas of crafting.
Office phone:(828) 262-2046
Office Hours: 238 I.G. Greer Hall, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday –Friday
Email: wolcottka@appstate.edu
Appalachian Overseas Education Programs (Faculty-led, Short-term Programs)
Meg Marck-Kennedy, Director, Appalachian Overseas Education Programs (Faculty-Led, Short-Term Programs)
Meg is Director of Appalachian Overseas Education Programs. The mission of AOEP is to collaborate with faculty and academic departments to promote rich educational experiences abroad for Appalachian students. The AOEP unit assists faculty program leaders in developing programs that foster stimulating professional growth, support the “local to global” link within our undergraduate curriculum, and most importantly provide students with academically rigorous study abroad opportunities.
Before joining Appalachian State University in 1991, Meg worked in international avenues for three Fortune 500 companies (in Germany and in the U.S.). Meg is a native of Germany where she obtained degrees as translator, interpreter, and foreign correspondent in English and French from ESO Eurosprachenschule in Trier, Germany. She also holds an M.A. in French Education with a minor in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University.
She looks forward to meeting with Appalachian faculty and students interested in Appalachian Overseas Education Programs.
Office Phone: (828) 262-6692
Office Hours: 236A I.G. Greer Hall, Feel free to contact her for an appointment, or just stop by
Email: marckkennedy@appstate.edu
Nathalie M. Turner, Assistant Director, Appalachian Overseas Education Programs (Faculty-Led, Short-Term Programs)
Nathalie Manent Turner is Assistant Director of Appalachian Overseas Education Programs (AOEP). She is responsible for providing training in the field of international education as well as administrative and logistical support to Appalachian faculty leading a study abroad program. She advises prospective student participants about a variety of Appalachian Overseas Education Programs that will satisfy both their international aspirations and academic needs, and guides them through the entire process. In consultation with the program leaders, she is available to conduct pre-departure orientation sessions for individual faculty-led programs.
Nathalie understands firsthand the challenges and rewards of offering an international education to students at Appalachian, and enjoys coordinating all the various elements involved in the organization of a study abroad program. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from Winthrop University, South Carolina; and later obtained her M.A. in Education from Appalachian State University.
She grew up in southern France and has traveled extensively in Europe. Before joining OIED in 2007, she taught French at the high school level for ten years while working on different school committees, serving as chair of the Foreign Language department, and leading groups of students to France and Switzerland. She is a member of the Association of International Educators (NAFSA). Nathalie enjoys spending time with her family, gardening, reading, playing tennis and the piano. She looks forward to meeting faculty and students interested in leading or participating in an AOEP.
Office Phone: (828) 262-8034
Office Hours: 235 I.G. Greer Hall, 8:30 am - 5:00 pm, Monday-Friday
Email: turnernm@appstate.edu
International Outeach Programs
Sarah Bergstedt, Ph.D., Director, International Outreach
Sarah began as director of International Outreach at ASU in August, 2007 when this area was initially established as an area within the Office of International Education & Development. Prior to ASU, Sarah worked in the field of International Education – primarily in international student & scholar services, for over 15 years at a variety of higher education institutions (St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, MN; NC State University in Raleigh, NC; and The College of Wooster in Wooster, OH).
Sarah’s passion for interacting with persons of other cultures began as a child living in Brazil from the ages of 2 to 6. In high school and college she lived for one year each in Finland and Italy. Additional travels include India, Western Europe, & New Zealand.
Sarah holds a B.A. in International Affairs from Florida State University, with a minor in Dance (1984); a Masters in Student Development in Higher Education from the University of Georgia at Athens (1987), and a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership and Cultural Foundations from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1997).
Currently Sarah serves as the campus and community programming representative on the Region VII team of NAFSA (Association of International Educators), and has been an active member of NAFSA for many years.
Sarah enjoys the joys and challenges of building this new area of International Outreach within the Office of International Education & Development, and having the opportunity to live in the NC mountains. She has passionate interests in the cultural arts, languages, and being outdoors. She and her family enjoy participating in the wealth of cultural arts activities available in this region and on the Appalachian campus.
Office Phone: (828) 262-2046 / International Outreach (828) 262-8046
Office Hours: 236 I.G. Greer Hall, Monday – Friday by appointment
Email: bergstedtss@appstate.edu
Meredith Casper, Graduate Assistant
Email: asugo@appstate.edu
International Student and Scholar Services
Robert White, Executive Director & Foreign Student Advisor, Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Robert White, Executive Director of the Office. He is an Historian of Modern China, and has held his administrative position in OIED for 15 years. In his position as Executive Director, Mr. White reports to Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) Lutabingwa and represents OIED and Appalachian State University in a variety of ways: as a participating member of the American Council on Education Internationalization Collaborative; as a member of the American International Education Administrators (AIEA); as the OIED representative in Appalachian’s International Faculty, Staff and Spouse Association (IFSSAS); to the Appalachian University Legal Staff as regards legal issues of study abroad, outreach, development, visa interactions; to University Controller and Business Affairs on issues regarding payments to internationals; to Appalachian’s Compliance Officer, Human Resources, and Business Affairs, on all issues related to the hire of international faculty and staff.; and with the AVC coordinates preparation of the OIED Annual Report to the Provost.
Mr. White is Director of International Student and Scholar Services within OIED. He is ASU’s Foreign Student Advisor and oversees provision of an integrated and mature range of immigration and university services to the international visitors to Appalachian State University. He was educated at Duke University, North Carolina State University, and Appalachian State University and holds two BA degrees and a Master’s Degree. Mr. White has traveled the globe, lived abroad in China, conducted historical research internationally, and taken students abroad repeatedly. He is married to a cultural anthropologist who directs the Appalachian State University Center for Appalachian Studies. He and his wife have two daughters who hold degrees in Symphonic Orchestral Performance and in Chinese Linguistics having studied and graduated from Johns Hopkins, Peabody and Eastman Conservatories, and Vassar. He is a member of several History, and International Professional organizations including the Asian Studies Association, the American Historical Association, the National Association for International Education and the National Association of International Education Administrators. At the age of 63, Mr. White’s work and life are a mix of his professional work in ASU’s International efforts, his continuing study of Modern Chinese history, symbolism, and Art, and a passion for fruit and vegetable gardens. On rare days, he relaxes by driving antique English motorcycles and sports cars. On even more rare events, you might catch Mr. White playing Rock and Roll, Jazz, or Bluegrass as his 50-year devotion to performance within those genres’ and his ongoing relationship with his 100 year old Czeck Bass Viol continues to evolve.
Office Phone: Main Office (828) 262 -2046, Office (828) 262- 2811, Home (336) 385- 6424 , Cell (828) 773- 2126
Office Hours: 228 IG Greer Hall, 8:30 am to 6/7:00 pm, Monday – Friday
Email: whitera@appstate.edu
Natalie Best, Assistant Director, International Student and Scholar Services
Natalie Best is Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services. She creates the DS2019’s and I-20’s necessary for international students to obtain J and F Visas. She also maintains international students’ records in SEVIS for the Department of Homeland Security, processes Practical Training and Academic Training Applications and provides advice on all immigration matters.
In addition to student advising, she assists with J-1 scholar applications, H1B Specialty Worker applications, Perm Labor Certification, filing of the I-140sand provides other advice to scholars regarding immigration matters. She arranges housing for international students and scholars and provides a variety of other services to the international community in Boone including airport pickup and assistance in dealing with campus and community bureaucracies. Finally, Natalie organizes cultural programming on and off campus. This programming includes international coffee hour, a host family program, and excursions for international students.
Natalie has an undergraduate degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Georgia and a Masters degree in English Education from Emory University. Prior to joining OIED in 2008, Natalie worked as a middle school and high school English teacher for seven years in Georgia, Costa Rica, New York City and Nicaragua. Natalie has traveled extensively within the U.S., in Central America and in Western Europe. She also studied abroad in France during her undergraduate studies. She is a member of NAFSA and the American Association of University Women.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys reading, cooking and hiking.
Office phone :(828) 262- 2815
Office Hours: 226 IG Greer Hall, 1:00-3:00 by appointment; 3:00-5:00 drop-ins
Email: bestne@appstate.edu
International Student Exchange and Study Abroad (Semester/Summer/Year Programs)
Nancy Wells, Director, International Student Exchange and Study Abroad (Semester/Summer/Year Programs)
Nancy Wells is the director of International Student Exchange and Study Abroad. She has master’s degrees from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio and from Appalachian State University. Nancy has worked in international education since 1996 specializing in advising students for long term study abroad and working with Appalachian’s international partners.
Having lived and traveled abroad, Nancy values the excitement and challenge of learning to live in another culture and enjoys working with students who seek that experience. She finds participating in site visits with our international partners and networking with international and domestic colleagues to be rewarding aspects of this profession.
Nancy has been an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators for 13 years and served as the chair of NAFSA Region VII in 2008. She also served for three years on NAFSA’s Trainer Corps and has chaired professional development workshop and conference sessions.
Office Phone : (828)-262-2816
Office hours: 231 I.G. Greer Hall, by appointment
Email: wellsnw@appstate.edu
Jeanne d'Arc Gomis, Assistant Director, International Student Exchange and Study Abroad (Semester/Summer/Year Programs)
Jeanne d’Arc Gomis advises Appalachian students about semester/year exchange and study abroad opportunities.She also advises Appalachian Students regarding summer programs that are not run by a faculty member from Appalachian State University. Ms. Gomis manages the academic aspect of incoming international exchange programs for a semester or academic year non-degree seeking studies.
Ms. Gomis holds a Master’s Degree from the Institute of Foreign Applied Languages, University Cheikh Anta Diop of Dakar, Senegal. She has earned a second Master’s Degree in Comparative and International Development Education from the University of Minnesota in the Twin Cities before joining Appalachian State University in 2005.
Prior to coming to the United States, Ms. Gomis worked as a study abroad program assistant to various US programs hosted at the West African Research Center (WARC), in Dakar Senegal. Programs that Ms. Gomis assisted include Minnesota Studies in International Development (University of Minnesota) and Binghamton University. She also interned at Lasli/Njelbeen, a newspaper specializing in literacy and publications in local languages. After graduating from the Institute of Applied Foreign Languages, she was contracted by Enda Graf to translate and interpret French, Spanish, and English. At the University of Minnesota, she taught sections of 5-credit French language courses to non-native speakers for two years. She has also taught French at Appalachian State University for a semester.
Ms. Gomis enjoys travelling for business or holiday. She’s been to France, Canada, Germany, and Spain. In the United States, she’s been to Milwaukee, Minnesota, Texas, Illinois, California, South Carolina, New York, Florida, Maryland, and Washington, DC.
Professional organizations: NAFSA: Association for International Educators, International Student Recruitment, Retention and Alumni Services Committee-Appalachian State University
Ms. Gomis is interested in the intersection of gender, education and development. She aspires to create a micro-credit program to improve women’s socio-economic conditions in economically developing countries following the model of the Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. Outside of work, Ms. Gomis loves to socialize. She often has friends over for lunch or dinner or to chat. She works out at the gym or park and likes reading as well. She values cultural interactions and seizes any opportunities to share her culture and learn from others.
Office Phone: (828) 262-2465
Office Hours: 230 I. G. Greer Hall, 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday - (lunch time varies)
Meeting by appointment: Tuesdays - 10 am – 12 pm; 3 pm – 5 pm
Thursdays 10 am – 12 pm; 3 pm – 5 pm
Walk-ins: Wednesdays - 3 pm – 5 pm
Email: gomisjd@appstate.edu
Chanel Frisco, Program Assistant, International Student Exchange and Study Abroad
Chanel is a study abroad program assistant in the Department of International Education and Development. She helps conduct Study Abroad Information Sessions, processes incoming and outgoing student applications, assists with registration, transcripts, and predeparture orientations.
Originally from Charleston, SC, Chanel has also lived in Wyoming and Alaska. She received a BA from Appalachian State University in French Education. While obtaining her degree, she attended an ASU faculty led trip at the University of Angers in France. In 2002, she was a student teacher of French at Ashe County High School. She owns a small import export business and has years of experience as a pastry chef. Chanel has always had a strong desire to travel and experience other cultures. She has traveled extensively throughout Eastern and Western Europe, and South America. Spending time with family and friends, cooking, entertaining, and music are some of her passions.
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Front Office student employees
Ashma Bhandary
Aria Johnson
Kelly Pittman
Brianna Oliver
Coty Sutherland
