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.

Angie Parsons Director, International Enrollment & Services, PDSO
615-898-5674 Angie.Parsons@mtsu.edu

Angie oversees the daily operations of the International Admissions and Services Office that processes international admissions and provides services to international students and scholars. She issues admission letters and visa documents for F-1 and J-1 applications. She is responsible for the compliance of SEVIS regulations and assists students and visitors with immigration matters related to F-1 and J-1 visa or status. She is the contact for faculty who plans to invite international scholars to MTSU for collaborative research or creative projects.

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.

Mike Michael Novak, Ed.D. Director, MTSU Center for Asian Studies
615-904-8127 Peck Hall 0106 Michael.Novak@mtsu.edu

Dr. Novak acts as a liaison connecting the Middle Tennessee community with Asia through special programing and cultural opportunities. He supports the MTSU community, local school districts, partner institutions of higher education, and civic organizations with language and cultural programing such as special performances, guest artists, and connections to partners in Asia. Mike holds a Tennessee teaching and administrative license and has served as a teacher and principal in K-12, and a consultant at the state and federal level.

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.