Jared Crain, Campus Carrier Deputy News Editor
There is a vacancy in the International Programs office. After serving as the International Programs director for 13 years, Sarah Edgerer left Berry earlier this semester. A job posting was listed a few weeks ago, soon after she left.
Dean of Academic Services David Slade considers this transition period an opportunity to expand what has become a well-developed offering for students.
Currently, Slade shares International Programs responsibilities with Christine Anton, who is serving as the interim director during this transition. Anton’s temporary role will last until the end of November.
She is also a professor of German and director of the Language Resource Center at Berry.
The International Programs office is responsible for coordinating and supporting study abroad opportunities and organizing scholarships as well as faculty and staff grants.Slade suspects the change in International Programs leadership will open the door to new ideas for the program as well.
“Anytime you have a change in staff, I hope that we would take the opportunity to re-envision what the office might be and to be open to what different gifts and talents people might bring,” Slade said. “We are looking for a vision-oriented leader who is interested in and able to explore new opportunities for our students to partner with faculty in new ways.”
He explained that the new International Programs director should encourage students to grow through their international opportunities.
“They (international opportunities) are venues where students can connect with experiences that really make a difference for them, that are transformational, that help them find their path forward and that help them find a grounding and footing to really thrive,” Slade said. “Not just as students at Berry, but as members of society.”
Slade emphasized that he is much more concerned with carefully finding a director than quickly finding one.
“I’m interested in finding someone as soon as we can, but I’m also interested in finding the right person,” Slade said. “I hope students feel assured that the college has very confident people in place currently to support our students who are abroad.”