Jan. 14, 2008 -- A renewed emphasis on recruiting, enrollment and educational programs for international students is showing progress at Arkansas State University--Jonesboro, Chancellor Robert L. Potts announced today.

From the time he became chancellor in 2006, Potts has stated several times that he believes a stepped up effort to increase the enrollment of international students will have many educational and financial benefits for ASU and the region.

Today he announced that after a search process and recommendation from Dr. Dan Howard, vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research, he has appointed Cagri Bagcioglu to serve as assistant vice chancellor for Academic Affairs and Research with emphasis on international initiatives and special projects. Bagcioglu has extensive international contacts and experience that will be key to building the international student population.

With this change, Potts said the current director of International Programs, Sue Marlay, has accepted new responsibilities as assistant to the dean of University College and faculty immigration specialist. She will work with international faculty and post-doctoral researchers and provide advising services to students in University College. The university expects a significant increase in the number of international faculty and post-doctoral students who will require assistance with adhering to immigration laws and requirements. Marlay will be called upon to address these important needs for the university.

"ASU is most appreciative to Sue Marlay for her many years of service to the university and countless hours of dedication and commitment to international students," Potts stated. "We owe her a tremendous debt for bringing the program to this point. We are looking forward to seeing continued success as we build upon this legacy that she has established."

In the fall of 2007, the international enrollment stood at 132, with 71 of those enrolled in the Graduate School. Dr. Potts advocates progressively increasing the international student enrollment to at least 1,000 over a period of time. The university’s international students will enhance campus diversity and better prepare all ASU students for the rigors of an interconnected and globally competitive marketplace. In addition, the university will be re-establishing its own English as a Second Language program, Potts added.

Bagcioglu is coming from Istanbul Bilgi University in Istanbul, Turkey, where he is executive director for business development and international programs. He has served as chief administrator in International Programs, which included oversight for partnership agreements with 200 universities worldwide, and for the English Language Preparatory Program. He also developed an international marketing and recruitment plan and established an international business development office.

Previously he served seven years as director of International Student Services at the University of North Alabama. While there he founded and developed the Department of International Student Services, which conducted all recruitment and retention activities and involved 750 students and 15 staff members.

He also is an alumnus of UNA, having earned his bachelor’s degree in finance and economics, and his master’s degree in business administration.

"I am very happy and honored to be selected as the new assistant vice chancellor," he commented. "I am looking forward to working with both the university community and the greater Jonesboro community to build one of the most successful international programs in the United States. My family and I are excited to be moving to Jonesboro, to meet its wonderful people and to discover all it has to offer."

Marlay came to ASU in 1982 with degrees from Brown University, Ohio University and Northern Illinois University. She served as an advisor to the original Saudi Arabian Customs Project, and began advising all international students in 1988. She was named associate dean and director of International Student and Scholar Services in 1999, then director of International Programs in 2005. Marlay has been, and will continue to be, very active in her professional organization, NAFSA: Association of International Educators, where she holds regional and national leadership positions.