Last modified: Thursday, June 27, 2002
IU names Viers as director of international services and associate dean for international programs
Christopher J. Viers of Farmington Hills, Mich., has been named associate dean for international programs and director of the Office of International Services at Indiana University. His appointment will begin July 1.
Viers comes to IU from Wayne State University in Detroit, where he had been director of the Office of International Students and Scholars since 1999. He also has been director of the Office of International Education at Central Michigan University and has served in different capacities in the Office of International Scholars and Students at Ohio State University.
He will succeed Kenneth A. Rogers, who will retire June 30 as associate dean for international programs and director of international services after a quarter-century of leadership and service at IU.
"I am confident that Chris will enhance the national and international reputation of the Office of International Services at Indiana University. This is a time of challenges and opportunities, and I look forward to working with him," said Patrick O'Meara, dean of international programs and professor of political science and public and environmental affairs.
IU's Office of International Services provides comprehensive support, including immigration services, to more than 3,000 international students and more than 500 visiting scholars each year at IU Bloomington. The office also provides support to IU's seven other campuses. There are more than 4,500 foreign students currently attending an IU campus.
As director, Viers will administer the office's activities and a 14-person staff. He will develop programs and services for international students and for academic units interested in employing international faculty. He will represent the university in contacts with related governmental agencies, national organizations and private sponsoring agencies, and representatives of foreign governments.
Viers received a master of arts degree in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State University in 1990 and a bachelor of arts degree in sociology from Wheaton College in 1988.
