Dr. John Wilson

Acting Director

Mark Twain said that "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness." I believe this, and it will be my most sincere goal to provide UNG students with international opportunities to enhance their own careers and life experiences. In my own life, the most important, life-altering experiences have been through study abroad and travel throughout the world. At university and later as a teacher, I was fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to travel around the world in both academic and cultural programs. I have also organized the Monterrey/Whitfield Student Exchange Program and led students on many travel programs throughout Mexico and Europe. More than anything, I love languages. I possess varying degrees of proficiency in French, Spanish, German, and Italian with some Russian and Portuguese.

As the world becomes increasingly connected, UNG students must have authentic cultural understanding and experiences required of a 21st century education. It is indeed an exciting time for UNG. Each day brings new possibilities and challenges as we pursue these international opportunities for our students. There is enormous interest from the world in our school, and I am honored to be able to provide leadership in making UNG known throughout the USA and world as a university on the cutting edge of internationalization.

Bio

John Wilson has a doctorate degree in Educational Leadership from Argosy University Atlanta, a specialist and master’ degree in Foreign Language Education from the University of Alabama and the State University of West Georgia, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from Middle Tennessee State University.  Over the last two years, John has worked in a joint position with the Center for the Advancement and Study of International Education (CASIE) and with the UNG Center for Language Education (CLE).  Before coming to UNG, John was the DeKalb County School System IB District Coordinator K-12 responsible for nine IB World Schools.  Prior to his arrival in DeKalb, John spent 21 years in North Georgia with Whitfield County Schools teaching foreign languages and ESOL.  John also served as the Chair of the Georgia Project Teacher Advisory Committee.  In that position, he supervised the Georgia Project Mexican teacher program, headed a committee for Latino scholarships, worked with ESOL staff development and Spanish and English language programs.

Contact Information
Office: 219 Price Memorial Hall
Phone: 706-867-2844
Fax: 706-867-2860
Email: jwilson@northgeorgia.edu

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT SERVICES

Amanda Phipps

International Student Advisor 

I became interested in international education after studying abroad in Sydney, Australia during my senior year in college. During the five months I spent in Australia I was able to travel all up and down the east coast, visit New Zealand, and meet people from all over the world. I completed my BA in Anthropology at Monmouth University in New Jersey in 2009. I returned to Sydney and completed an MA in Development Studies and Culture Change from Macquarie University in 2011. I spent one exciting semester teaching Cultural Anthropology at Monmouth University before beginning my career in international education at Rowan University. I moved to Georgia in the beginning of 2013 and I am very excited for new opportunities and new challenges working with international students and scholars. I am very passionate about internationalization and I am thrilled to be a part of facilitating a memorable American college experience.

Contact Information
Office: 104 Price Memorial
Phone: 706-867-2833
Fax: 706-867-2860
Email: akphipps@northgeorgia.edu

STUDY ABROAD

Katie Lapish

Study Abroad Advisor

I became interested in International Education after I studied abroad at Griffith College in Dublin, Ireland. Once I returned from Ireland I became a Study Abroad Peer Counselor in the International Center at Winthrop University. My study abroad and the work experiences led me to a summer internship at World Learning in Washington, D.C.. During my employment at World Learning I worked in the department for Visitors Exchange Programs that is funded by the Department of State. During my senior year at Winthrop University I was a participant in a short term faculty led program China. All of these experiences have helped me discover who I am as well as my future career goals.

Contact Information
Office: 218 Price Memorial Hall
Phone: 706-867-2909
Fax: 706-867-2860
Email: kflapish@northgeorgia.edu

Camille Bearden

Study Abroad Advisor

Foreign language and culture learning have always been fascinating to me, even at a young age.  Because of that, I decided to focus my college studies on all things international to gain a better understanding of the world and the people in it.  While in college, I was able to study abroad in St. Etienne, France and had the opportunity to visit five other countries throughout Europe at the time. I discovered a desire to work in the field of international education in a university setting during my senior year.  After graduation I focused on volunteering and working with programs to expose me to the field as well as study abroad.  I was able to work at the International Education Center in Minneapolis assisting adults in English as a Second Language as well as the Center for Cultural Interchange, an exchange program for high school students.

I believe that studying abroad is an opportunity to challenge oneself in a new and unique way as one experience’s life overseas and becomes a global citizen.  I look forward to assisting you in the study abroad process and being a part of your journey as you gain international and intercultural understanding. 

Contact Information:

Office: 224 Price Memorial
Phone: 706-867-2994
Fax: 706-867-2860
Email: cmbearden@northgeorgia.edu  

MILITARY INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS

Ronda Dowell

Military International Programs Coordinator (Cadets)

I fell in love with traveling and learning about other cultures as a sophomore in high school. My high school Spanish teacher, and her passion for learning and exploring, sparked my interest in learning about other countries and peoples.  She introduced our class to a teenage girl visiting the United States from a small village in Nicaragua, and I was completely fascinated by the girl's culture.  I was fortunate to be able to visit this same girl years later when I traveled to her town as part of an international service team.  In addition to traveling to Nicaragua, I have visited Costa Rica and Mexico and look forward to adding other countries to my list in the future!

I became a part of the Center for Global Engagement as a student worker in 2009 and was hired as a Military International Programs Coordinator in January 2012.  I work with US Army Cadet Command and University of North Georgia to send cadets from all over the United States to study abroad in countries all around the world.

I received my Bachelor of Arts in English with Teaching Certification from NGCSU, and I'm currently working on my M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Georgia Southern University.

Contact Information
Office: 104 Price Memorial
Phone: 706-864-1991
Fax: 706-867-2860
Email: rddowell@northgeorgia.edu

Scott Wells

Military International Programs Coordinator (Faculty)

I've always been fascinated about other cultures and the barriers that people have to overcome to build a civil, productive, and secure relationship between other cultures.  This really hit home when my brother was serving in Desert Storm, and he consistently had to learn, engage, and build relationships with people in the Middle East. It became apparent to many in the U.S. that a program in language and culture would have been an enormous asset.  I am grateful to have the privilege in my current role working with faculty who support language and culture training around the globe.

Scott began in his position January 24,2011. While he is a transfer from Daytona Beach, Florida, he was born in Frankfurt, Germany. Because his father was in the military, he spent much of his early years living in military housing at Barbers Point (Pearl Harbor) in Hawaii.

Scott served as an Academic Evaluator for Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and was the Associate Registrar for Jacksonville University. His move to North Georgia was prompted by his love for working in the college environment and maybe a little military blood passed down by his father.

Scott has a Bachelor's of Science degree in Psychology from Florida State University. While working at Jacksonville University, he earned his Master of Business Degree in Management & Marketing.

Contact Information
Office: 104 Price Memorial
Phone: 706-864-1990
Fax: 706-867-2860
Email: swells@northgeorgia.edu

Ashley Long