July 17, 2006

Interim director named for international programs

by Sun Min

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- Carla E. Coppi, associate director of International Programs and Services (IPS) at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, is now serving as interim director of the department.

She replaces Jared H. Dorn, who left SIUC to become vice president of the International College of Bangkok University in Thailand. Dorn directed IPS from 1984 to 1988 and from 1998 to June 30, 2006.

"I am quite proud to carry on the vision of my mentor, Dr. Dorn," said Coppi, whose association with SIUC spans more than two decades.

"I have worked at International Programs and Services since 1983, in a variety of different positions," she said. "I joined IPS assuming that I would be working here for a very short period of time – an extra help position that was not expected to last more than five months."

Five months led to 23 years and the variety of positions have included foreign student adviser, assistant director, and since 1996, associate director.

A native of Royalton, Coppi earned bachelor's and master's degrees in music from SIUC in 1982 and 1986, respectively.

Coppi will serve as interim director of IPS during the search for a permanent replacement. She is not a candidate for the position.

"I look forward to assisting and supporting the new director once chosen. I am extremely proud to have this opportunity to serve during this brief but important period of transition," she said.

For now, Coppi is focusing on the projects at hand. "We have many new initiatives planned for the fall semester, particularly during the Week of Welcome (new student orientation week). A goal is to increase the visibility of international students within the Carbondale community and throughout the Southern Illinois region."

The director of International Programs and Services is responsible for developing and supporting faculty, staff and students in international education. Primary goals include increasing the number of externally funded grants and contracts in the international arena for SIUC, increasing international enrollment, serving international students and providing international opportunities for faculty and students.

Expanding SIUC's reach is among the goals of Southern at 150: Building Excellence Through Commitment, the blueprint for the development of the University by the time it celebrates its 150th anniversary in 2019.