Mission Statement

The role of the Office of International Programs (OIP) of the State University of New York (SUNY) System Administration is to promote and advance international education in all its aspects throughout SUNY. The university is committed to the importance of international education for the academic quality of its programs and the adequacy of the education it provides its students. A well-educated citizen in the contemporary world must have a sensitivity to international issues and a working familiarity with international affairs. Toward that end OIP works with all SUNY campuses to encourage student participation in study abroad programs and to enhance the campuses' international curricula. OIP also works with faculty members throughout the SUNY system to encourage international research, teaching, and collaboration with scholars abroad.

OIP is also engaged in system wide international projects. It houses the SUNY-Moscow State University Center on Russia and the United States, which develops dual degree programs, student exchanges, faculty research and teaching exchanges, cultural programs, and a range of other activities between SUNY campuses and universities in Russia. OIP is also engaged with university and government partners in Turkey and Mexico to establish curricular and other links between SUNY and universities in those countries. Finally, OIP is working with other offices in SUNY to develop the Neil D. Levin Graduate Institute for International Relations and Commerce.

Biographies:

Robert R. Gosende, Associate Vice Chancellor for International Programs
Ambassador Gosende came to the State University after thirty-five years as a Foreign Service Officer. His assignments included service in Somalia as the President's Special Envoy and at the American Embassy in Moscow as Minister-Counselor for Press and Cultural Affairs and Director of the U.S. Information Service.

John Ryder, Ph.D., Director, Office of International Programs
Dr. Ryder has been with the State University of New York for more than thirty years - as a student, graduate student, professor of philosophy and dean, and currently as Director of International Programs and Director of the State University's Center on Russia and the United States.

Patricia Moore, Secretary, Office of International Programs
Mrs. Moore has been with the Office of International Programs since 1991, following twenty-five years' work with the Office of Mental Health, the Department of Health, Rockefeller Institute of Government, and System Administration's Budget and Finance Office. She has since retired from State Service but continues to work at OIP on a part time basis.

Helen Secor, Secretary, Office of International Programs
Ms. Secor began working in the Office of International Program in October 2003 following five years' work with the Office of Public Relations.

Lori A. Thompson, Director for International Partnerships, Office of International Programs
Ms. Thompson came to the Office of International Programs in 2000. She has experience in grant proposal preparation, activities management, web site development, and library services and holds a B.A. in English Writing.

Aneta Szpyrka, Program Officer for East and Central Europe
Ms. Szpyrka came to the Office of International Programs in 2000. A specialist in Slavic languages and cultures, she works on projects in East and Central Europe. Ms. Szpyrka is currently working for the office of International programs from our center in Russia while obtaining her Masters Degree in International Studies.