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William Rasch, Director
William Rasch (wrasch@indiana.edu) is Professor of Germanic Studies and Director of the International Studies Program. He served six years as the Chair of the Department of Germanic Studies and two years as Director of the Center for Theoretical Inquiry in the Humanities before taking on his current International Studies duties. Born in Connecticut and raised in Florida, Professor Rasch lived in Germany, Georgia, Vermont, New York, Iceland, and Seattle before settling in the Midwest. Having traveled extensively in Central America, Europe, and parts of Africa from an early age (at first with his adventurous parents), he still gets excited when boarding a plane, despite the draconian surveillance, decline in service, and drastic reduction of legroom. His research interests include the German philosophical and intellectual tradition, especially the areas of social and political theory, and German film and literature in their historical and political contexts. He remembers his long-ago undergraduate days fondly and encourages contemporary students to treat their years at IU as a time of self-discovery and exploration of the world at large. (For more information, see http://www.indiana.edu/~germanic/faculty/bill.shtml)
Olga Kalentzidou, Associate Director
Olga Kalentzidou (okalentz@indiana.edu) is associate director and faculty of the International Studies Program. She came to the US as a Fulbright scholar to pursue graduate study and earned her Ph.D. in 2001 from the Department of Anthropology at Indiana University. Prior to joining International Studies, she spent several summers partaking in archaeological digs in Greece and Southern Indiana, taught in Anthropology and West European Studies, and advised undegraduate students. Born and raised in the borderlands of Greece, she spent her childhood on her relatives' farm in a small village in Thrace. She has traveled to most of the Balkan countries, Turkey, Italy, France and the US. Her research interests focus on ethnicity and immigration, food and ethnic identity, cookbooks, and material culture. Her current responsibilities include teaching of International Studies courses, curriculum innovation and oversight and coordination of student activities. She returns to Greece annually to conduct her research and soak up the Mediterranean sun.
Emily Williams, Academic Advisor (on leave)
Emily Williams (elwill@indiana.edu) provides academic guidance to International Studies majors and minors. She also speaks with high school students and their parents considering IU and the International Studies program. Emily is happy to join International Studies after completing her Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at IU. As a student in this program, she worked at IUPUI and DePauw University in residence life, event planning, and first year programs. She also traveled to the United Kingdom as part of an overseas study program, which gave her a new appreciation for travel and learning outside the classroom. Emily and her husband, Jay, have recently welcomed their new baby-girl into their family. Emily will be on leave and will return in advising students in summer 2013.
Jody Ferguson, Academic Advisor
Jody Ferguson (ferguson@indiana.edu) wiil be advisor for International Studies majors and minors until Emily Williams returns from her family leave. Jody has returned to the College with over 20 years of experience at IUB which has included work with students in psychology, neuroscience, general studies, cognitive science, speech and hearing sciences, East Asian languages and cultures, and also with students with disabilities across all schools and majors. She has a bachelor's degree in psychology from IU and a master's degree in social work from IUPUI. In addition to her university experience, she has done therapeutic work with children and families with a preferred focus on homebased services. She spends as much free time as possible working and playing outdoors. She is looking forward to working with students in this program and helping them discover all that IU has to offer.
Barbara Breitung, Administrative Secretary
Barbara Breitung (bbreitun@indiana.edu) coordinates course scheduling, financial transactions, human resources and payroll for the program. Her background in international affairs includes support staff positions in international divisions of Warner Bros. and Disney and at International Sports Broadcasting, host broadcaster of the 2002 Winter Olympic Games in Salt Lake City. Barbara holds a BA in Slavic Languages and Literatures, loves books, films and debates, and hopes to serve in the field of humanitarian relief in the near future.
Deb Englert, Office Services Assistant
Deb Englert (englert@indiana.edu) coordinates scheduling for the academic advisor and directors, addresses registration issues and assists faculty with various tasks in support of the International Studies Program. She also coordinates event planning, arranges travel for the program and assists with alumni relation projects. Her background in educational support includes multilevel experience at Indiana University and Ivy Tech Community College, Bloomington. She received her Associate’s degree in General Studies from Indiana University in 2002. Deb enjoys the wide variety of activities within this community which have an international influence, such as the Lotus Festival, 4th St. Festival of Arts, and Taste of Bloomington. Although Deb had never been in an airplane until 1992, since then she has traveled to Cancun Mexico, and various locations throughout the U.S.
Contact International Studies at
intl@indiana.edu or (812) 856-1816.
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