About Us
The mission of the Office of International Services is to actively promote international and intercultural understanding and to cultivate a mutual commitment and support for international education throughout the campus community. Three key functions of the office include:
1. Liaison: We act as a liaison between International Students and/or Study Abroad Students and the Campus Community
2. Advocate: We advocate for our students - to make sure they are treated fairly, helped appropriately, and respected
3. Educate: We educate the campus community on intercultural understanding, the benefits of international students, and other opportunities. We help international students and study abroad students with academic and personal transitions to promote successful and positive experiences.
History
The Office of International Services began as a component in the Department of Second Languages in the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. In 2005, Dr. Jerry Stevenson then Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs was appointed as Director over the Office of International Services, which placed the department under the Provost Office. In 2010, Dr. Stevenson was promoted to Associate Vice Chancellor of Extended Programs and International Affairs, and brought the Office of International Services under Extended Programs and International Affairs.
Once you are admitted to a school, college, or program OIS will be your main resource for visa application, immigration documentation, and related international student procedures.
Depending on what time of year you arrive and your affiliation at UALR, such as IELP, undergraduate or graduate student, or scholar, you may find your initial experience to be a bit isolating. This page is a compilation of campus and community resources that will help you to take initiative and find what you require to more fully appreciate and integrate into life on campus and in Little Rock. 
There are 3 different types of exchange visitors that come to UALR. Each group requires different processing. J-1 Exchange Students are processed through the Programs Abroad office. Research Scholars and Visiting Faculty are processed directly through the Office of International Services. This page will guide you through the process and choose the category most appropriate to you. 
Programs Abroad offers a unique and valuable experience—the opportunity not only to study, but also to immerse yourself in another country and culture, thus expanding your view of the world. Meet our OIS Staff!
Allyson Hughes
Assistant Director, Office of International Services
Allyson Hughes began her career in International Education during the Spring of 2007 after working in several different positions at UALR. After studying abroad in Spain through a summer program in 2003 to complete requirements for her Bachelors of Arts in Spanish, Allyson realized how much international students impacted different cultures. While working on campus in the Provost Office and completing her Masters degree in Two Year College Teaching with an emphasis in Writing, Allyson was given the opportunity to become the temporary International Student Coordinator and ultimately took the position to be full-time. During the Summer of 2008, Allyson began working with International Undergraduate Admissions. Allyson has learned a lot during her time of taking care of more than 600 international students with issues from immigration to healthcare, and looks forward to see how her students continue to excel in their studies and in their lives while they are in the United States.
Wang Chao
International Student Advisor
Wang Chao joined OIS as the International Student Advisor in December 2009. Wang, a native of Taiwan, earned a MBA degree from Missouri State University. Prior to moving to Little Rock, she worked in business immigration law for the past four years in East Brunswick, N.J. As a newcomer to Little Rock and UALR she stated, “while I am new to the campus, I am thrilled to see the potential for growth and interaction that already exists for international students here at UALR. I hope to utilize my personal and professional background to aid UALR’s international community, and to increase interactions between international and domestic students. Also, through increasing our level of service to the campus community, I hope OIS can play a role in raising awareness and building enduring relationships between the UALR community and other countries.” Wang continues to work daily to develop these relationships and ideals
Aimee Jones
Programs Abroad Coordinator
Aimee joined UALR as the Program Abroad Coordinator in September 2010. Aimee’s passion for international education began with her experience living with a Swiss family in Geneva, Switzerland at the age of 14. Since that time, she has had the opportunity to study abroad in Sydney, Australia and independently travel to various countries. These experiences prompted her to earn her MA in Higher Education Administration from Appalachian State University. During her time at Appalachian, she interned in the Office of International Education and Development and worked in non-traditional/international campus housing as a Residence Director. Aimee hopes to share her enthusiasm for studying abroad with UALR students and to see the number of students taking advantage of the programs continue to grow.
Patti German
International Admissions Coordinator
Patti is pleased to be working with OIS as the International Admissions Coordinator. She is also assisting our domestic students with Programs Abroad. Patti served in the Peace Corps in Thailand teaching English as a second language at a teacher’s college in 1980-1982. Patti began working at UALR in 1985. Her UALR international experience includes being a teacher of English as a Second Language in the Intensive English Language Program and the International Admissions Officer for Records and Registration.
Lauren Sukany
Marketing and Recruitment Specialist
Lauren joined OIS as the Administrative Specialist in January 2010, and became the Marketing and Recruitment Specialist in 2011. She enjoys working with international students at UALR. Lauren studied lithography abroad in Newfoundland, Canada in the Spring of 2003 for her Bachelors of Fine Arts degree. Lauren graduated with her BFA at Missouri State University in 2005, and is currently working on her Masters of Art at UALR. Lauren works with International Services social media sites, press releases, monthly newsletters, promotional videos, recruitment materials, planning events, and other ways to connect with international students.
Dr. Jerry Stevenson
Director, Office of International Services
Dr. Stevenson was appointed Director of the Office of International Services in 2006. He is also Associate Vice Chancellor for Extended Programs and International Affairs and Professor of Public Administration. He received his doctorate degree at the University of Georgia and he is recipient of the 2005 UALR Student’s Choice Award as “Administrator of the Year”. He is firmly committed to international education and strongly believes that the Office of International Services strengthens the University’s commitment to cultivating global awareness and maintaining a diverse student population.
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