Wright State University implements initiative to help international graduate students acclimate

Wright State University has begun its new ambassador cohort, an initiative that aims to help graduate students from out of the country to acclimate to their lives and studies at Wright State University.

According to an article on Wright State University’s website, Thomas Wischgoll, Ph.D., who is a professor and is acting as the interim chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, said of the newly enacted initiative, “The idea behind this program is to support our graduate students in academic aspects and beyond. We have a significant number of international students in our programs who are starting their first semester in a foreign country. This is a big transition both from a cultural perspective as well as an academic one.”

The ambassadors will focus on providing guidance and assistance for graduate students who are within the College of Engineering and Computer Science. The goal is for the ambassadors to spend 20 hours a week with the other international graduate students. All of the students will also have guidance from Paula Bubulya, Ph.D., who serves as the associate dean of the College of Graduate Programs and Honors Studies.

The students who are participating in the program as ambassadors are Akhil Dwibhashyam, who is earning a master’s degree in Computer Science, Sahithi Gangireddy, who is earning a master’s degree in Computer Science, Monika Gunasekhar, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Engineering, Niharika Poreddy, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science, Naveen Reddy Tumu, who is earning a master’s degree in Computer Science, and Aashritha Yamusani, who is pursuing a master’s degree in Computer Science.

Michelle Streeter-Ferrari, who serves as the director of Wright State University's Center for International Education, discussed the program further, saying, “The special care and attention our students receive at Wright State always sets us apart when recruiting international students. While international students come with high academic credentials and many have professional work experience in their home countries, this program will help them connect with peer mentors who have experienced American cultural and academic norms over the past several months.”

Wischgoll expressed his hopes for the program: “These graduate ambassadors will be a great resource for providing advice and support. The program is one element in this support structure for our graduate students as the department, graduate school and Student Success Center are all working together to ensure the success of our students.”

For more information about Wright State University, visit the school’s website.