International Affairs Staff
Robert Summers, Ph.D. Vice Provost
615-898-2116 Robert.Summers@mtsu.edu
Dr. Summers serves as the Vice Provost for International Affairs. As such, he has
primary responsibility for the international enterprise at MTSU. He oversees the
Center for Asian Studies; the Center for Chinese Music and Culture; Education Abroad;
International Admissions and Services; and the Intensive English Program. Summers
is a trained linguist and holds faculty appointment in the department of World Languages,
Literatures, and Cultures. He has a special interest in Neo-Vyogotskian Language
Assessment: the Applications of Technology to Second and
Foreign Language Pedagogy and Comprehensive Internationalization in the academy.
Maureen Young, Coordinator for International Affairs
615-898-2116 Jones Hall 161 Maureen.Young@mtsu.edu
Maureen Young serves as the Executive Assistant to the Vice Provost, and manager for
the International Affairs office. She is responsible for coordinating and providing
administrative and managerial support to the office. She manages and administers the
international merit scholarship awards and coordinates services for the Intensive
English Program.
Guanping Zheng, Ph.D. Associate Vice Provost
615-904-8365 Jones Hall 159 Guanping.Zheng@mtsu.edu
As the Associate Vice Provost, Dr. Zheng assists the Vice Provost for International
Affairs (VPIA) to provide institution-wide leadership to international initiatives
and expand the comprehensive internationalization of the university. He is involved
in the execution of the strategic plan on recruitment, education abroad and services
related to international education and intercultural exchange. He is a professor of
Media Arts with extensive experience in leading education abroad programs.
Tammy Freeze Secretary
615-904-8190 Jones Hall 152 Tammy.Freeze@mtsu.edu
Tammy serves as the primary contact for the International Enrollment and Services
Office by answering the phone, providing general information, taking messages and/or
routing calls as appropriate. She also greets and assists visitors, determines the
nature of business, and responds to general questions and/or directs to the appropriate
staff or other offices.
John Wilson, Ed.D. International Student Recruiter
615-494-8767 Jones Hall 108 John.Wilson@mtsu.edu
Dr. Wilson leads MTSU’s recruitment effort for international students. He travels
to strategically identified areas and countries to promote MTSU, recruit students,
and build relationships. Activities include cultivating and developing relationships
with international high schools, agencies, government sponsors, and other persons
and organizations that assist international students to study abroad. John participates
in recruitment fairs throughout the world to introduce MTSU and make contact with
prospective international students.
Cindy Habara Immigration specialist, Undergraduate
615-494-8643 Jones Hall 117 Cindy.Habara@mtsu.edu
Cindy is responsible for assisting international undergraduate students through the
admission and immigration process to join our community here at MTSU. In addition,
she advises students on maintaining status while studying in the U.S. Cindy counsels
undergraduate students as they apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT) and Curricular
Practical Training (CPT).
Tongia Key Analyst, International Graduate Enrollment
615-898-2843 Jones Hall 119 Tongia.Key@mtsu.edu
Tongia processes applications for prospective international graduate students. She
also processes intent to graduate forms, thesis/dissertation forms (i.e., committee
forms, approval forms), and degree plan revision forms for all graduate students.
Ben Shupe Immigration Graduate Specialist, DSO, ARO
615-494-7667 Jones Hall 112 James.Shupe@mtsu.edu
Ben provides general F-1 and J-1 visa advising for international graduate students.
Some of his responsibilities include issuing I-20 and DS2019 for graduate students
and signing I-20 and DS2019 Forms for travel. He reviews and assists with OPT/CPT
applications. Ben also works with F-1 reinstatement and change of status to F-1 or
F-2.
Chelsea Able Coordinator for International Student and Scholar Services
615-898-2282 Jones Hall 115 Chelsea.Able@mtsu.edu
Chelsea is responsible for planning events for the Office of International Affairs,
such as new student orientation and graduation receptions each term. She also assists
students with getting connected on campus and offers general support such as providing
information about resources, on-campus activities, career development and on-campus
job opportunities. Chelsea oversees the office’s International Student Ambassador
Program.
Melissa Miller Director, Office of Education Abroad
615-904-8117 Jones Hall 151 Melissa.Miller@mtsu.edu
Melissa is the point of contact for all MTSU Exchange Programs (incoming and outgoing
students), exchange partnerships, and MTSU Signature Faculty-Led Programs. She is
the contact for MTSU faculty who are interested in creating a study abroad program
or would like to collaborate with our international partners. She focuses on risk
management and crisis management for study abroad programs. Melissa is the incoming
and outgoing exchange advisor and the main advisor for Education Abroad independent
study. She is the main contact for the office website, the campus certifying advisor
for the Gilman Scholarship, and is available to assist faculty, staff, or students
on any aspect of Education Abroad.
Emily McAnally Office of Education Abroad Advisor
615-494-7638 Jones Hall 153 Emily.McAnally@mtsu.edu
Emily advises students interested in studying abroad to help them find the perfect
program fit according to location, program type, semester term, courses, requirements,
scholarship opportunities, and more. She is also in charge of marketing for the MTSU
Faculty-Led Signature Programs. She manages social media for education abroad and
is responsible for other marketing materials. Emily also coordinates our Global Ambassador
program and works with alumni to promote study abroad on campus.
Lisa Eddy Coordinator, Office of Education Abroad
615-898-5179 Jones Hall 155 Lisa.Eddy@mtsu.edu
Lisa is the first contact for faculty, staff, and students. She manages the Office
of Education Abroad front desk, emails, and phones. Her role includes assisting students
with the Education Abroad website, student scholarships, and Education Abroad pre-advising.
She coordinates office events, manages office files, records and generate reports
as needed. She assists incoming exchange students with applications and course scheduling.
Mei Han, Ph.D. Director, Center for Chinese Music and Culture
615-898-5718 Miller Education Center 1600 Mei.Han@mtsu.edu
An associate professor in the School of Music, Dr. Han serves as the director for
the Center for Chinese Music and Culture. Dr. Han is an ethnomusicologist specializing
in Chinese music and an internationally claimed concert artist on the zheng (Chinese
long zither). She is responsible for planning and conducting international music and
cultural programming and events. In doing so, she helps bring Chinese and other world
music to local communities to build bridges among peoples.
