George R. Muirhead Center for International Education

Administration | Intensive English Language Program

- Administration -

Dr. Nancy Birch Wagner - Director

Nancy Birch Wagner joined CCSU’s George R. Muirhead Center for International Education in 2008.  As Director, she is primarily responsible for working with faculty, students, and administrators throughout the campus community to establish coherent and collaborative policies and procedures that further CCSU’s mission to integrate international education into the curriculum and campus life.  To promote those goals, Dr. Wagner works with a faculty committee that represents all curricular divisions of the University and constitutes Central’s Internationalization Laboratory.  Beginning fall 2008, the Laboratory initiative will review, evaluate, and, eventually, oversee all aspects of global education at Central, including our sponsored programs abroad, our faculty-led courses overseas, and other programs and activities, as recommended.  Nancy Birch Wagner holds a PhD in German Languages and Literature from Yale University and the BA and MA from Vassar College.  She has taught German language and literature for many years, as well as courses on Faust, European Decadence, and Thomas Mann in English translation. Her publications and area of scholarly interest include Goethe and 19^th Century European Realism.

Ms. Lisa Marie Bigelow - Associate Director

A member of the CIE staff since 1995, Ms. Bigelow’s responsibilities as Associate Director include providing administrative support (program design and development, contracts, policy and processes) to the University’s growing array of international education programs, including short-term courses abroad and full-semester/year-long study abroad programs.  Ms. Bigelow is the University’s liaison to USCIS and the U.S. Department of Labor regarding employment-based immigration issues, she co-edits the CIE’s newsletter ACCENT International, and assists the CIE Director with the budget and reporting, general operations of the Center, new initiatives and special projects.  Ms. Bigelow holds the B.S. degree in Finance and an International MBA, is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators and is the Campus Coordinator for (and an alumna of) the  Fulbright Program. Contact:  (860) 832-2042 or e-mail to Bigelow@ccsu.edu.

Ms. Christie Ward - Associate Director and Coordinator,

Intensive English Language Program

A full-time member of the CIE staff since 1999, Ms. Ward’s responsibilities as Associate Director and Coordinator of the Intensive English Language program include program development and curriculum design; student testing, placement and evaluation; instructor hiring and supervision; program marketing, student recruitment and retention; and teaching.  Ms. Ward co-edits the CIE’s newsletter ACCENT International, and assists the CIE with other special projects.  Ms. Ward holds a B.A. degree in English, an M.A. degree in English/Creative Writing, an M.A. degree in TESOL Education, and an M.S. degree in e-Media.  She is a member of TESOL: Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Languages, and is a board member of ConnTESOL, the local TESOL affiliate.

Ms. Toyin Ayeni - International Student and Scholar Services Coordinator

As the International Student Coordinator, Ms. Ayeni's major responsibilities include serving as the Principal Immigration Advisor to International and Exchange students, and Scholars on issues relating to their F-1 or J-1 visa status. In addition, she develops and administers international student orientation, cultural adjustment and advising programs for all international students and scholars. She serves as the Primary Designated School Official and Responsible Officer working closely with the Department of Homeland Security on behalf of the CCSU and enrolled students and scholars. Ms. Ayeni holds a B.S and M.S. degree in Microbiology and an International MBA.  A member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Ms. Nancy Weissmann - International Education Coordinator 

As International Education Coordinator at the CIE, Ms. Weissmann is responsible for the recruitment of and advisement for students participating in the Study Abroad and Course Abroad programs.  Other responsibilities include maintaining contact with international partner universities, advising all incoming exchange students before and during there stay at CCSU.  A member of the CIE staff since 1998, Ms. Weissmann was initially responsible for the logistical planning of course abroad programs and coordination with faculty and travel providers.  Since her arrival at the CIE she has assumed a major role in promoting international study opportunities to faculty and students in a variety of formats including fairs, classroom visits and information sessions as well as revising  materials and brochures used to promote the CIE’s global initiative.   Ms. Weissmann holds a B.S. in Hebrew Language and Literature and an M.A. in English from New York University.   Ms. Weissmann is a member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Erin Beecher is the study abroad assistant in the CIE.  She advises students on all aspects of studying abroad including the program selection and application process.  She organizes weekly information sessions for students and assists the International Education Coordinator with all of the study abroad orientation sessions. 

Erin’s office hours are Monday, Wednesday and Friday 9-3.

Ms. Hoa Do - International Student Support

Hoa Do works as a University Assistant, International Student Support. In this role she assists the International Student and Scholar Services Coordinator in tracking and providing initial review of immigration applications and documents, maintains internal immigration database and serves as the Designated School Official and Alternate Responsible Officer.

Hoa's office hours for the month of September are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 2 p.m.  Beginning in October, her office hours will be 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday and Wednesday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesdays.

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- Intensive English Language Program -

Ms. Christie Ward - Coordinator

Ms. Carmetta Williams - Secretary

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