Friday, August 19, 2005

WILMINGTON, N.C. - The University of North Carolina Wilmington is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. Adrian Sherman as Assistant Provost and Director of the Office of International Programs (OIP).

Sherman has previously served as Director of the Office of International Education and Programs at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater, Director of International Programs at Ithaca College, and Dean of International and Travel Programs at Tusculum College. He is a member of NAFSA (Association of International Educators) and the Association of International Administrators.

Dr. Sherman holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and psychology with a minor in chemistry from California State University-Chico, a master’s in experimental psychology from Appalachian State University, and a Ph.D. in health psychology from the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He served as a U.S. Army Special Forces medic, and was stationed at Fort Bragg, and overseas in Okinawa and Taiwan.

In addition to his role in the Office of International Programs, Dr. Sherman will serve as a tenured faculty member in the psychology department teaching courses such as “Cross-cultural Psychology.”

Born at Clark Air Force Base in the Philippines, Sherman has visited over 50 countries and is fluent in Spanish and speaks some Chinese. He has led student trips to Costa Rica, Panama, and the United Kingdom, worked as a visiting scholar in the People’s Republic of China.

The Office of International Programs is responsible for implementing and coordinating the University’s commitment to internationalization. This office provides international student and scholar services including immigration, orientation, and international recruitment. The office also provides guidance for students and faculty who wish to be involved in an international experience. Programs range from short term study abroad to semester and year long experiences. International Programs provides logistical support for faculty and assists students with such matters as credit transfer and financial aid.

Dr. Sherman says he hopes to embrace one of UNCW’s preeminent strategic goals—internationalization. Adding that “world events indicate that international understanding is a critical issue for the United States and that we are woefully lacking in graduates with international experience,” Sherman feels that “transforming UNCW into a university that views internationalization as on of its signature programs,” is of key importance.

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