Executive Director
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With more than 20 years of International Education experience, Kate Stoetzner has recently been named the Executive Director of the Padnos International Center. Her passion serves the students well as they cross borders to new experiences. She’s excited to be helping the GVSU community increase cultural competency and understanding, as well as meet professional and personal goals.

Outside of PIC, Kate enjoys traveling the globe, and spending time with her family and friends. She enjoys the Great Lakes and inland lakes of Michigan.  Her favorite Michigan activities include cheering on the mushers in the UP 200 and swimming in the summer sunshine. Outside of the US, some memorable moments have been swimming in the Red Sea, dining in the Prague Castle, and bartering at markets around the globe. 

Director of Study Abroad and International Partnerships
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• Monitor and respond to crisis and risk management related to education abroad
• Manage GVSU’s institutional international partnerships and represent GVSU to international partners
• Review study abroad applications
• Set policies for study abroad and evaluate international activities
• Manage study abroad credit transfer process
• Provide overall management of daily study abroad operations
• Advise faculty, staff and students on study abroad issues and concerns

Padnos International Center Assistant
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Vicki Wenger, AKA Victorious VIP (Vicki in Padnos) is responsible for everything that makes PIC run!  Vicki is one of those detail-oriented people without whom an office would collapse in on itself in a matter of weeks.  Vicki enjoys working with students and the fact that every day in the office is different and unpredictable.

Vicki is passionate about physical exercise; she enjoys running, HIIT class, bike riding, hiking, anything really that gets her outdoors. She’s a frequent participant in various races; 10K, 25K and ½ Marathon. Above all, she enjoys spending time with her family and grandkids and long trips with her husband on their Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Vicki loves the color purple, avocados, and sunny beaches. She’s never met a vegetable she didn’t like. She is not a fan of shoes or those who fail to say please and thank you. So please say hi to Vicki on your next visit to PIC. Thank you!

Study Abroad Advisor
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• Advise GVSU students interested in academic international experiences including financial, academic, cultural, health and safety issues

• Counsel students with unique issues (disabilities, dependents, chronic health issues, identity concerns) to enable them to successfully participate in study abroad. 

• Assist with compiling student trends/statistics

• Coordinate study abroad fairs

• Supervise and train peer adviser staff

International Programs Coordinator
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• Manages study abroad publications
• Assists with study abroad outreach
• Manages study abroad website
• Oversees social media

Director of International Student and Scholar Services
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• Advocate for iStudents at GVSU and in the Community

• Primary Immigration Advisor to F-1 and J-1 Students

• Lead ISS Team

• Advance services for iStudents

• Oversee Visiting Scholars and Visiting Staff 

Coordinator International Student Services

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• Student Guidance and Support: Responsible for providing comprehensive support to accepted international students, covering a range of topics such as immigration, cultural adjustment, academic integration, safety, and legal matters.

• Immigration Advice and Authorization: Offer specialized advice on immigration regulations and procedures, including guidance on work authorization through programs like Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular Practical Training (CPT).

• Student Advocacy and Resource Connection: Advocate on behalf of international students across campus, ensuring they have access to appropriate resources and support offices to meet their academic and personal needs.

• Immigration Advising and Documentation: Conduct immigration advising and manage document processing as both an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) for the J-1 program and a Designated School Official (DSO) for the F-1 program.

• Event Planning and Student Engagement: Organize events and activities to foster student engagement and integration, including coordinating orientation sessions at the beginning of each semester. Additionally, serve as an advisor for the International Student Organization (Uniting Nations).

Faculty-Led Program Coordinator

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•  Assists with the development, assessment, and improvement of Faculty-Led Study-Abroad Programs;
• Conducts pre-departure trainings and informational sessions for faculty and students;
• Manages behind-the-scenes logistics to aid in the execution of the Programs;
• Answers questions and assists with problem-solving including visa applications, budgets, and health insurance;
• Renders assistance and aid as needed

Coordinator of Study Abroad and International Partnerships

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• Post GVSU Study Abroad Acceptance - Long Term Study Abroad Exchange and Provider Programs
• Pre-Departure Orientations - Policies, Expectations, Cultural Adjustment, Insurance
• Forms - Pre-Departure, Financial Aid Agreement, Study Abroad Budget, Visa Forms, external provider forms
• Course Approvals - GVSU Course Codes, Issues, Gen Eds, Study Abroad Transcript Verification
• Returned Student - Welcome Back Event, Work Abroad Event

Office Coordinator
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• Supports the International Student and Scholar Services Team with background work including booking rooms for events, ordering catering, and arranging meetings for the ISS team.

• Arranges itinerary for GVSU’s International Visiting Scholars from our partner schools.

• Serves as primary contact for our exchange partners who send students and faculty/staff to GVSU.

• Serves as the Alternate Responsible Officer in SEVIS for J-1 students and scholars.

• Feeds PIC team with yummy home-cooked Chinese and Vietnamese cuisine.

International Student Coordinator
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• Responsible for alumni engagement including the online network and international & domestic events.

• Serves on the Global Grand Rapids task force and supports all events and initiatives.

• Contributes to the development of programs for the Padnos International Center.

• Assists with international student orientation in the fall and winter semesters.

International Programs Coordinator

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• Advising and coordinating for Internship and Independent Study experiences abroad.
• Marketing, promotion, and events for Padnos International Center.
• Management of student outreach worker and outreach tasks for PIC.

International Student services Coordinator

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• Oversee mandatory health insurance for international students
• Manage social media for ISS
• Update ISS webpages
• Email correspondence with students & external partners
• Assist with planning & leading ISS events (orientation, PEEPS, etc.)

Meet our Front Desk Workers & Grad Assistants!

Read More about the Front Desk & Grad Assistant Staff

Meet the Peer Adviser Staff!

Peer advisers are an essential part of the PIC Team! They help guide students through the study abroad process. 

Read More About the Peer Adviser Staff