Arcadia University announced this week the formation of an Office of International Affairs, a reorganization that consolidates campus internationalization and ESL efforts and the Office of International Services into a new academic unit, announced Dr. Steve O. Michael, Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs.

“The Office of International Affairs will serve as the main conduit to lead and coordinate all international activities for Arcadia, Glenside campus. It will also perform the liaison function with Arcadia’s College of the Global Studies,” Michael said. “We will continue to make internationalization an expectation for all members of the Arcadia family as we respond to the challenges of globalization in higher education.”

Dr. Warren Haffar was named interim Dean of International Affairs, and Jan Finn was named Associate Dean. Formerly the Associate Dean for Internationalization, Haffar will continue as Director of the master’s program in International Peace and Conflict Resolution. He also will focus on coordinating and enabling faculty in teaching, research and project-based learning initiatives overseas. Finn, formerly Assistant Dean of International Services, will continue to manage services for international students and Arcadia University students studying abroad, as well as management of the Preview courses and programs in London, Scotland, Spain, Italy and Ireland. The new office also centralizes coordination for short-term faculty-led international experiences.

“In line with our vision to enhance and expand the internationalization of Arcadia and as one of the many efforts to implement the objectives identified in the Academic Strategic Plan recently adopted by the faculty, I am pleased to report that President Jerry Greiner has approved the reorganization of international offices and personnel, effective April 15,” said Michael. This reorganization is necessary to better position the University for the following:

To provide synergy and serve as a visible hub for international activities and students, the Office of International Affairs will be located on the second floor of Easton Hall. The renovation needed to house International Affairs in its new home will be completed over the summer.