Annual Report

2020-2021 Annual Report

International Students and Scholars met the challenges presented by COVID quarantines, social distancing, racial protests, implementation of Workday, loss of key staff members and remote work environments to provide outstanding programs and services to international students, the campus and the community. Visa office closures and COVID travel restrictions led to decreased number of international students and scholars at the University of Arkansas.  Fall 2020 orientation was all virtual. The office monitored remote course and out of country enrollment for all F and J students. Workshops and sessions by advising staff as well as programs offered by the outreach and retention staff were all virtual.  These programs were creative and stretched the technical expertise of all team members.  Town halls as a response to world-wide protests this year as well as virtual check-ins for feelings of isolation because of social distancing were possible through technology. International Education Week was a hybrid of in-person and virtual events. Due to her leadership through in cultural programming across the state and region, Cynthia Smith was awarded the Arkansas State Outstanding International Educator award by NAFSA: Association of International Educators.