University Council on International Programs

The University Council on International Programs (UCIP) consists of senior international officers from each of the 16 universities and leadership from the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, the UNC Exchange Program, and Go Global NC. The senior vice president for Academic Affairs appoints the council chair.

UCIP meets regularly to advance the international agenda across the UNC System and encourage inter-institutional programs, outreach, and communication. UCIP pursues a mission to advise the president on international matters and on policies influencing the support and operation of international programs and global readiness. By coordinating diverse international efforts, the UCIP plays an important role helping the UNC System prepare students and citizens of North Carolina for the 21st century.

Institution Senior International Officers

Appalachian State University
Jesse Lutabingwa, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for International Education and Development;
Professor, Government and Justice Studies		 Phone: 828-262-2046
Fax: 828-262-4037		 lutabingwajl@appstate.edu
Alternate:
Vacant
Executive Director
Office of International Education an Development		 Phone:
East Carolina University
James (Jim) Gehlhar, Ph.D.
Associate Vice Chancellor for International Affairs		 Phone: 252-328-1936
Fax: 252-328-4813		 gehlharj@ecu.edu
Alternate:
Jami Leibowitz, Ph.D.
Director of Global Academic Initiatives		 Phone: 252-328-9447 leibowitzj@ecu.edu
Elizabeth City State University
Glen Bowman, Ph.D.
Director of International Programs		 Phone: 252-335-3424
Fax: 252-335-3493		 gcbowman@ecsu.edu
Alternate:
Shahid M. Shahidullah, Ph.D.
Professor and Chair, Dept. of Social Services		 Phone: 252-335-3448 smshahidullah@mail.ecsu.edu
Fayetteville State University
Yunkai Chen, Ph.D .
Director, International Study Program		 Phone: 910-672-1269
Fax: 910-672-1981		 ychen@uncfsu.edu
Alternate:
Sharmila Udyavar
International Student/Cultural Immersion Advisor		 Phone: 910-672-2971 sudyavar@uncfsu.edu
NC Agricultural and Technical State University
G. Scott Jenkins, Ph.D.
Vice Provost for Academic Affairs and Undergraduate Programs		 Phone: 336-285-3039 gsjenkins@ncat.edu
Alternate:
Allegra Johnson
Study Abroad Coordinator		 Phone: 336-334-7104, ext. 2223
Fax: 336-334-7126		 allegra.johnson@ncat.edu
North Carolina Central University
Janice Harper, Ph.D.
Asst. Vice Chancellor for Academic Programs		 Phone: 919-530-5069
Fax: 919-530-7627		 jharper@nccu.edu
Alternate:
Olivia Metzger Jones, Ph.D.
Assistant Director, Office of International Affairs		 Phone: 919-530-7713
Fax: 919-530-7627		 ojones@nccu.edu
North Carolina School of Science & Math
Jen Hill
Coordinator for Summer Programs, Distance Education		 Phone: 919-416-2635 jen.hill@ncssm.edu
Alternate:
Tom Clayton
Director of Academic Programs		 Phone: 919-416-2888 clayton@ncssm.edu
North Carolina State University
Bailian Li , Ph.D.
Vice Provost for International Affairs		 Phone: 919-515-3201
Fax: 919-515-6835		 bailian_li@ncsu.edu
Alternate:
Ingrid R. Schmidt
Assoc. Vice Provost for International Affairs and Director, Study Abroad		 Phone: 919-515-2087
Fax: 919-515-6021		 igschmid@ncsu.edu
UNC Asheville
Bonnie Parker
Director, Study Abroad/Study Away		 Phone: 828-251-6666 bparker@unca.edu
Alternate:
Agya Boakye-Boaten, Ph.D.
Director, International Studies Program		 Phone: 828-350-4564 aboaten@unca.edu
UNC-Chapel Hill
Ron Strauss, D.M.D., Ph.D.
Executive Associate Provost for Academic Affairs,
and Chief International Officer		 Phone:  919-962-4610 ron_strauss@unc.edu
Alternate
Katie Bowler
Director of Global Relations		 Phone:
919-962-4504		 kbowler@unc.edu
UNC Charlotte
Joël Gallegos
Assistant Provost for International Programs		 Phone:
704-687-7755
Fax: 704-687-3168		 jagalleg@uncc.edu
Alternate:
Christina Sanchez, Ph.D.
Associate Director, Office of International Programs		 Phone: 704-687-5386
Fax: 704-687-3168		 c.sanchez@uncc.edu
UNC Greensboro
Penelope Pynes, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for International Programs		 Phone: 336-334-5404
Fax: 336-334-5406		 pjpynes@uncg.edu
Alternate:
Denise Bellamy
Interim Director of Study Abroad and Exchange Programs		 Phone: 336-334-5404
Fax: 36-334-5404		 dlbellam@uncg.edu
UNC Pembroke
Alex Brandt, M.A.
Interim Director & Study Abroad Coordinator, Office of International Programs		 Phone: 910-521-6573 Alexander.brandt@uncp.edu
Alternate:
Jessica Hall
Assistant Director, Office of International Programs		 Phone:  910-775-4095 Jessica.hall@uncp.edu
UNC Wilmington
Denise M. DiPuccio, Ph.D.
Assistant Provost for International Programs		 Phone: 910-962-3685
Fax: 910-962-4053		 dipucciod@uncw.edu
Alternate:
Kara Pike Inman
Interim Director, Education Abroad		 Phone: 910-962-3685
Fax: 910-962-4053		 pikek@uncw.edu
UNC School of the Arts
Ward Caldwell, Ph.D.
ESL Program Director		 Phone: 336-631-1515 klaimone@uncsa.edu
Western Carolina University
Ling Gao LeBeau
Director, International Programs and Services		 Phone: 828-227-7494 lglebleau@wcu.edu
Winston-Salem State University
Joti Sekhon, Ph.D.
Director, Office of International Programs		 Phone: 337-750-2306 sekhonj@wssu.edu
UNC System
Vacant
Vice President for International Engagement
Catherine Holderness, Ph.D.
Director, UNC Exchange Program		 Phone: 336-334-4909
Fax: 336-256-1011		 c_holder@uncg.edu
Go Global NC
Meredith Henderson, Ed.D.
Deputy Director, Go Global NC		 Phone: 919-237-7953 mlh@northcarolina.edu
Alternate:
Rachel A. Page, MPH
Director of Data and Policy Analysis, Go Global NC		 Phone: 919.237.7957 rachel.page@northcarolina.edu