About the Office of International Programs

The Office of International Programs (OIP) is available to assist students in the research and application process, and to provide support during their time overseas and upon their return to campus. OIP advises on all Approved Programs. Please click on a link below to learn more about us.

OIP Staff • Mission Statement • Contact Us

OIP Staff:

The following staff members are available to answer your questions and help you at all stages of your overseas experience - from beginning your search for the perfect program to readjusting to life at Skidmore upon your return. We encourage you to contact us right away with any questions. We look forward to helping you!

CORI FILSON, Director

Cori began as Skidmore's Director of International Programs in May 2001, bringing with her almost a decade of experience in the field of international education. Prior to coming to Skidmore she served as the Assistant Director of International Programs at The University at Albany where she managed programs in Spain, Latin America, Asia, and the Netherlands. She also was responsible for all marketing and publications for Albany's study abroad programs, making good use of her previous five years of experience in publishing. In addition to work at UAlbany, Cori served as an instructor and resident director abroad in Salamanca, Spain for several years. She has served on several national advisory boards, including those of Arcadia University, Butler University, and Fairfield University, and is currently serving on the Academic Council for the Institute for the International Education of Students (IES). Cori is active in NAFSA: The Association of International Educators and has had the opportunity to present nationally on current topics in the field. Cori has an MA from The University of Texas at Austin in Hispanic Literature and a BA in Spanish and German from St. Lawrence University. As an undergraduate she studied abroad for a year and a half in Spain and Austria.

MARIE ALICE ARNOLD, Senior Program Coordinator
Skidmore in Spain

Marie alice came to Skidmore in 2003 from the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) where she held a variety of positions over a fourteen year period. Her main areas of program focus at CIEE were Spain and Africa; her last position held at CIEE was Director of Enrollment Records and Services. Throughout her time with CIEE Marie alice was active in NAFSA: The Association of International Educators and developed many important connections to colleagues in the field. Marie alice is a graduate of Skidmore College (and a former participant on our Madrid program); she is currently completing her Masters of International Educational Development at Teachers College, Columbia University. Marie alice advises students, manages several of our Skidmore programs (including those in Spain), serves as our liaison with the Committee on Academic Standing, oversees recruitment for all programs, manages our five student assistants, sits on the Advisory Committee on International Study, and advises for and processes all student petitions for study abroad.

KAREN HORN-JANSEN, Program Coordinator
Skidmore in Beijing, The India Program, Skidmore in Paris, Paris Fall Seminar

Karen started her work with OIP in October 2005. She has previously served as a study abroad advisor at the State University of New York (SUNY) at Oswego and as an admissions counselor for Syracuse University Abroad summer programs office. Karen has experience in advising for all types of study abroad programs, in managing programs in a variety of locations, and in recruiting on and off campus. This experience proves valuable as Karen manages several of Skidmore's programs, including those in Beijing, India and Paris, as well as advising for all Skidmore and Approved Programs, managing our Web site, organizing a variety of on-campus events, and working with our exchange students. Karen has her BA in Spanish from the SUNY Oswego. She studied abroad in Cuernavaca, Mexico, and worked briefly in Asturias, Spain.

TINA BREAKELL, Program Coordinator
Skidmore in London, The Shakespeare Programme, FYE in London

Tina began with OIP in late January and came to us from George Washington University, where she served as Interim Assistant Director for the Office of Study Abroad. In her role at GWU, Tina managed programs in England, Spain and France as well as all international student exchanges. Prior to that position Tina worked in the Office of International Programs at Georgetown University. Tina received her MA in Higher Education Administration with a concentration in International Education from George Washington University. She received her BA in English from University of Buffalo. As an undergraduate Tina studied abroad at the University of Westminster in London. Tina is responsible for managing the Skidmore junior-year program in London, the First-Year Experience in London, and The Shakespeare Programme. She also organizes all of our programming and will be concentrating a good bit of her time on pre-departure and re-entry.

LISA HOBBS, Finance/Program Coordinator
Finances, Short-Term Programs, International Affairs Travel Seminar

Lisa began with OIP in September of 2006 and brings a nice blend of experience in finance and programming to the position. Prior to coming to OIP, Lisa was the Employment Specialist in Human Resources at Skidmore, giving her a solid knowledge of the systems and procedures of the College. Before beginning at Skidmore, Lisa served as the assistant to a CFO for four years and, in that capacity, coordinated budgets, financial reports, and other financial matters. She also has a strong background in event planning and coordination, having managed overall logistics, contract negotiations, promotional planning, travel and accommodations, reports, and events assessment. Lisa received her BA in History from Syracuse University, completed an Event Management Program at George Washington University, and has worked as a Legislative Director in the New York State Assembly. All of these qualifications will help Lisa as she manages the finances of our growing office and also supports the faculty-led short-term programs and other programming and events for OIP.

KIM NEWSOM, Administrative Assistant

Kim has been with OIP since March 2004 and she has proven to be invaluable to us. Kim came to Skidmore from RPI where she was the administrative secretary in the School of Architecture. She also served as the assistant to the president of the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture. Kim's excellent administrative skills have definitely helped us stay on track as we grow! She currently manages the daily operations of the office, including collecting and tracking applications and other materials, maintaining our database, working with all areas of the college to ensure a timely and accurate flow of information from the office, and managing the logistics of our many campus visitors. Kim has a BA in Business Administration from Iowa State University and worked for many years in retail marketing.

In addition to the staff listed here, Student Advisors are available to meet with students to discuss specific programs and the policies and procedures associated with those programs. Our Student Advisors have all studied abroad on a Skidmore or non-Skidmore program and can answer students' questions about study abroad in general, the application process, and their own experiences.

To contact a member of our staff directly via e-mail, please use the online staff directory to find the proper address.

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Mission Statement:

(Developed December 1996 by Terry Diggory at. al. and approved by a group of faculty and staff assembled by Phyllis Roth for discussion of the proposed office: Jim Chansky, Ann Henderson, John Anzalone, Juan Carlos Lertora, Giuseppe Faustini, Roy Ginsberg, Joel Smith, Lary Opitz, Tina Levith, Mao Chen, Jon Ramsey, R. Parthasarathy)

The Office of International Programs promotes study abroad in fulfillment of four basic objectives of the Skidmore College mission:

1. to prepare liberally educated graduates to continue their quest for knowledge and to make the choices required of informed, responsible citizens;
2. to link theoretical with applied learning;
3. to enhance education in the classroom, laboratory and studio through co-curricular and field experience; and
4. to promote the scholarly and creative interests of faculty as they inform teaching and learning.

In relation to these objectives, the Office of International Programs specifically recognizes the increasingly global nature of communication, information, education, and commerce, the critical importance of cultural exchange, and the many other unique challenges international life poses both to undergraduate study and to the future lives of college graduates.

Accordingly, the Office of International Programs advises students and faculty about study abroad opportunities; oversees relevant contractual arrangements on behalf of the College; and promotes program enhancement and development. Programs are continually monitored to ensure quality, geographical diversity, range of experience (course work, independent study, internship), and affordability (fee structure, financial aid, work-study).

For students enrolled in programs, the Office provides orientation prior to departure and, upon return, encourages them to integrate what they have learned in further course work and co-curricular life. For faculty, the Office provides a resource for research and curriculum development, promotes exchange with program officers and faculty based abroad, and disseminates information about conferences and workshops accessible through program affiliations.

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Contact Information:

Phone: +1 (518) 580-5355      Fax: +1 (518) 580-5359

E-mail: oip@skidmore.edu      Web site: www.skidmore.edu/internationalprograms

Campus location: Starbuck 202

Mailing Address:

Office of International Programs
Skidmore College
815 North Broadway
Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

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