Last modified: Tuesday, December 16, 2008
IU's Viers to assume international education leadership role
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Dec. 16, 2008
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- Christopher J. Viers, associate vice president for international services at Indiana University, has been elected to become president and chairman of the board of NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the world's largest organization of international educators. His term will begin in 2010.
Currently NAFSA's vice president for education and professional development, Viers has played a key role in reorganizing the association to assure a greater emphasis on teaching, learning and scholarship within the field of international education.
In his administrative postion at IU, Viers heads the Office of International Services, which assists IU's international students and scholars coming with obtaining visas and other issues related to their stays in the U.S. He also teaches in the School of Education's Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. His seminar, "International Students in U.S. Higher Education," is considered the first course on international students ever offered in U.S. higher education.
"Chris has been tireless in assuring that international students and scholars receive the highest quality of service and support from Indiana University," said Patrick O'Meara, vice president for international affairs at IU. "I am sure his advocacy will have a similar effect in the national and international domains that NAFSA engages, and that IU will benefit enormously from the experience this new responsibility will provide."
Founded in 1948, NAFSA now has a membership of over 10,000 international educators. The organization is committed to international education as a way to advance learning and scholarship, build understanding and respect among different peoples, and enchance constructive leadership in the global community.
"Chris Viers is a strong and deeply committed leader for NAFSA, and he will serve the association extremely well as president," said Marlene Johnson, NAFSA CEO and executive director. "I look forward to working with him in the coming years in our collective effort to support and advance the field of international education."
