MACON – Julie L. Strecker was appointed by Provost Dr. Scott Davis earlier this year to lead Mercer University's Office of International Programs.
“Julie is the ideal person to direct Mercer's international programs,” said Dr. Davis. “She has a wealth of knowledge regarding study abroad and international education and has served this academic support unit of the University for over a decade.”
As director of international programs, Strecker guides the University's efforts to facilitate international education through study abroad and exchange experiences, international student advising and English language development for non-native speakers.
“I am prepared to lead the Office of International Programs through this period of transition. The experience of having been a part of the Mercer community for over 10 years and working side by side with so many dedicated and special people – from my colleagues to my teachers – is no doubt the source of strength from which I will draw to meet the challenges ahead,” said Strecker.
“The office is dedicated to providing all our students with a comprehensive offering of international learning experiences and opportunities to develop global relationships. Preparing my fellow Bears for life in an uncertain and unimaginable world is motivating and fulfilling work, and I'm grateful for it.”
Strecker, who came to Mercer in 2001, served as an instructor in the English Language Institute in Macon for three years. In 2005, following a brief hiatus, she transitioned to the position of study abroad coordinator. She would go on to serve as international student and scholar services coordinator, and later, as assistant director of international education.
She earned her Bachelor of Arts and Master of Arts from West Virginia University, and is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in higher education leadership from Mercer's Tift College of Education. In 2002, she spent three weeks in Brazil at a private language school on a teacher exchange program through Mercer's English Language Institute, and she spent three weeks in Germany as a recipient of a Fulbright Award in 2009 in order to gain an in-depth perspective of the German system of higher education.
Strecker has been a member of NAFSA, an organization for professionals in international education, since 2005.She gained valuable professional knowledge in the fields of study abroad, international student advising and international recruitment through the NAFSA Academy in 2008, and went on to serve as a coach at the NAFSA Academy in 2010. She has been a member of the organization's International Student and Scholar Services Crisis Management Subcommittee, and was the recipient of NAFSA's Hugh Jenkins Award for Excellence in Community Programming in 2012.
For more information on the Office of International Programs, visit http://international.mercer.edu/, call (478) 301-2573 or email strecker_jl@mercer.edu.
