New leadership for Office of International Students and Scholars
Kayla Potter, who for nearly a decade has helped administer programs and resources for international students and scholars at Boston College, has been named as director of the University’s Office of International Students and Scholars.
She succeeds Adrienne Nussbaum, who recently retired as OISS associate dean and director after 38 years at BC.
For the past three years, Potter has worked as senior international student and scholar advisor at OISS, serving a population of some 2,600 undergraduates, graduate students, faculty members, and other scholars from abroad who are at BC for study and research. She has provided advisement on relevant immigration regulations and procedures, conducted immigration “check-ins” for exchange program visitors, and kept up to date on guidance from various governmental authorities—including United States Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and Department of State, among others—and communicated relevant changes to campus partners.
Potter also has provided administrative and programmatic support for OISS initiatives such as the International Student Orientation, International Assistant Program, Conversation Partners Program, and Thanksgiving Host Program, which pairs international students and scholars with BC employees.
“Each year, Boston College is home to fabulous students and scholars from all over the world, and I’m excited to be part of the process involved in welcoming them, and helping facilitate their academic and professional goals,” said Potter. “As the University has continued to invest more in global engagement, the OISS has played a crucial role in ensuring BC fulfills its objective to be an international university. My colleagues and I welcome that opportunity.”
At a time of uncertainty and anxiety in American international education, Potter said the University community has been supportive of OISS and the students and scholars it serves.
“We’ve heard from faculty, staff, and students, and it’s heartening to know that BC recognizes the importance of our mission,” she said. “We continue to work with many different departments, offices, and organizations in the University, including Student Affairs, the Provost and Dean of Faculties, Undergraduate and Graduate Admission offices, and the Undergraduate Government of BC, among others, to make sure BC is supporting our international students and scholars in the best way possible.”
A useful source of news, updates, and other information for the University community, she added, is the Global Engagement Gateway, which is accessible via the Global Engagement website at bc.edu/global.
Potter joined OISS in April 2016 as a temporary administrative assistant, later serving as international advising assistant and international student advisor. In addition, she has worked as an academic advisor for first-year international students in the Morrissey College of Arts and Sciences, staff co-leader for the Arrupe International Immersion Program in Mexico, and teaching assistant in a Cross Currents Seminar.
Potter earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology and International Studies from Wittenberg University in Ohio and a master’s degree in international higher education and intercultural relations from Lesley University.