Office of International and Border Programs

The mission of the Office of the Dean of International and Border Programs (OIP) is to lead NMSU in the development, implementation, and evaluation of policies, programs and services that incorporate an international dimension into the teaching, research, and service function of the university. Essential to this mission is a commitment to internationalize NMSU at every level through study abroad; international student and scholar services; special projects and initiatives; and opportunities for international learning, teaching, and research worldwide. NMSU has great potential for systemwide "internationalization," and the Office of the Dean of International and Border Programs is committed to ensuring that NMSU achieve its potential through its comprehensive offering of programs; high quality services; world renowned faculty; and diverse student body which comes to us from more than 100 countries worldwide. The Office of the Dean of International and Border Programs oversees the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) and the Office of Study Abroad (OSA).

The Office of International and Student Scholar Services (ISSS) is committed to providing high quality programs and services for international students and scholars. The programs and services provided by the ISSS run the gamut from recruitment, admission, and retention of international undergraduate and graduate students; assistance to these students and their families to make them feel at home and comfortable in their new environment; and an array of programs and activities that foster integration of international students with domestic students, host families, and the community. Programs offered by the ISSS include new international student and scholar orientation, a vibrant international student association, an extensive host family network, and workshops on timely topics reflecting the needs and concerns of international students and scholars and their families. The ISSS works across the entire campus to constantly improve their services. One notable area in this regard is the linkage and coordination between the ISSS and CITE (the Intensive English as a Second Language Program), administratively located in the Department of Communication Studies in the College of Arts and Sciences.

The Office of Study Abroad (OSA) provides high quality study abroad opportunities for international learning, teaching, research, and service . The OSA is committed to promoting study abroad, believing fervently that NMSU graduates must be globally competent and that study abroad is an essential path toward that goal. The OSA works closely with academic departments and programs to integrate study abroad into the University's academic programs. The OSA, consistent with the national focus on study abroad, is committed to increasing the number of NMSU students who study abroad through faculty-led programs; a rich selection of semester and academic year programs; and numerous university-to-university and consortia exchange programs. The OSA sponsors fall and spring study abroad fairs that attract dozens of programs, universities, and service providers from around the country and the world. The OSA is committed to increasing the number of need-based scholarships to ensure that all students who desire to study abroad can find the means to do so.