International Education Programs

Projects Coordinator:
Bonnie Gass

Administrative Secretary
Kathleen Lueppker

Mailing Address:
International Education Programs
Scottsdale Community College
9000 East Chaparral Road
Scottsdale, Arizona 85256-2626
USA

Location on Campus
Student Center, Room 100

International Education Programs Mission Statement:

International Education Programs department believes in creating a campus environment which encourages and develops intercultural awareness and promotes the global exchange of ideas. This is accomplished by providing quality international student services, promoting study abroad opportunities, sponsoring numerous cultural events, and supporting professional development programs for today’s changing and multicultural world
 

Director and Staff

THERESE TENDICK

The Director of International Education Programs, Therese was born and raised in a small German town in Minnesota but has enjoyed the sights of the Arizona desert for the last 23 years. She worked in International Graduate Admissions at Arizona State University for six years then moved on as Associate Dean of Admissions at Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, for nine years prior to starting the position of Director of International Education Programs here at SCC in 1999. Therese has a Master’s degree in International/Comparative Education from ASU, has written a chapter on international student recruitment, and has traveled to many countries. She enjoys meeting people of other cultures, learning languages (speak to her in Spanish!), and traveling with her husband, teenage son and teenage daughter.

JENNIFER VINCA

The International Student Advisor, Jennifer, has been at SCC since March 2000. She is originally from Maryland and has lived in Phoenix since 1996. She graduated from the University of Maryland College Park with a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism/Advertising. She spent a year studying at the University of Nice, France and is always looking for francophones with whom she can practice her French. Jennifer has worked at ASU, interned in Multicultural Services at ASU West and taught English as a Second Language through a private company in Tempe. When she is not working with international students, Jennifer enjoys traveling, horseback riding, movies, dancing, photography and the outdoors.

LUIS VEGA

The Study Abroad/International Student Advisor, Luis, is a proud Costa Rican native who recently moved to Phoenix in June 2005. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Costa Rica. He also spent one year studying and working in the English as a Foreign Language Office at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.  Luis has worked for several multinational companies such as Xerox, Procter and Gamble and Disney Corporation. Most recently, he worked as the Costa Rican Resident Director for an American based study abroad company, and then served as an independent study abroad recruiter and advisor in Michigan.  Luis loves traveling, meeting people from other cultures, dancing Salsa and Merengue, watching foreign movies and participating in outdoor activities.

JEN SYDOW

Jen is currently on educational leave for the 2005-2006 academic year.  Luis Vega will be temporarily assuming her roles.

BONNIE GASS

The Projects Coordinator, Bonnie, joined the IEP team in 2004. She was born and raised in the San Francisco Bay Area and has lived in Phoenix since 2001. She worked in Athletic Marketing and Promotions at ASU for 3 years and completed her Master’s in Higher and Postsecondary Education at ASU in Spring 2004. Bonnie received her Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from the University of California at Davis. She studied in Kyoto, Japan on a scholarship, and interned with the World Affairs Council in Washington, D.C. Bonnie enjoys traveling, meeting people of other cultures, swimming, the outdoors, rollerblading, movies and Irish dancing.

KATHLEEN LUEPPKER

The Administrative Secretary, Kathleen, has been part of the International Education Programs office since 2002. She is originally from Germany, so don’t hesitate to sprechen Sie Deutsch with her. Kathleen recently completed an Associate of Arts degree with a special requirement in language as well as a general Associate of Arts degree from SCC.  She hopes to transfer to ASU to complete her Bachelor's degree. Kathleen enjoys traveling, going to movies and spending time with her dog.