International Student & Scholar Services Capstone International Services Welcomes Two New Staff Members! Charter Morris joined The University of Alabama Capstone International Center as the new Director of Capstone International Services in March 2012. Charter came to UA from Syracuse University, where he served as the Assistant Director for Immigration and Scholar Services.
Tuscaloosa International Friends Every year, Tuscaloosa International Friends (TIF) pairs new international students with local American families. These families serve as the students’ familial support while living so far away from their own families. Students who choose to participate in TIF also get the opportunity to experience life in an American family and learn more about American Southern culture. Students who signed up to participate in TIF were introduced to their families on August 26th at the Ice Cream Welcome Party. Students and families enjoyed lots of ice cream, music, and fellowship. This year Tuscaloosa International Friends paired 160 international students with American families. If you are interested in becoming a TIF host family, please visit: http://is.ua. edu/programs-activities/ tuscaloosas-internationalfriends/.
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Charter brings to his position 11 years of experience in the field of International Education. Besides his service at Syracuse University, he worked for 2 years as the Director of International Recruitment at American University of Central Asia in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, and for 7 Charter Morris years at the University of Mississippi’s Office of International Programs, advising and providing immigration services for international students, scholars, faculty, and staff. Charter received his Bachelor’s degree in History from Hendrix College and his Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Personnel from the University of Mississippi. Charter’s primary areas of expertise are in international student and scholar visa regulations and advising, and he is excited to work with a dedicated team of professionals in Capstone International Services. His goal for CIS is to provide the best possible service and support to the international students, scholars, faculty, and staff of The University of Alabama. Towards this goal, Charter has begun a series of workshops to help academic and support office staff who serve the international community to navigate the complicated and ever-changing world of immigration. Charter is joined in his new life in Tuscaloosa by his wife and two sons, who love the warm and inviting character of UA and the surrounding community. Lauren Hurn joined the Capstone International Services team in February 2012 as the new Immigration Assistant. Lauren graduated from The University of Alabama in May 2011 with a degree in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in French. Prior to her position with CIS, Lauren worked at Little Friends School in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where she taught pre-school aged children. Lauren also interned at Compassion International, a child advocacy ministry that seeks to release children from spiritual, economic, social, Lauren Hurn and physical poverty. The internship group traveled to the Dominican Republic on a vision trip in order to witness firsthand the work that Compassion International is doing in developing countries. Lauren also interned at Lifeline Children’s Services in Birmingham, Alabama, where she assisted Birth Mother Counselors with adoption casework and helped the Marketing Team with event planning and communications for the organization. During her junior year at UA, she participated in the Alabama in France faculty-led study abroad program in Tours, France. Because of this experience, Lauren is able to relate to the international students who have traveled far from their home country to Tuscaloosa. Lauren recently married her husband, Jeff. In their spare time, they love to travel and watch sports. They have recently added a new puppy to their family - a Great Dane named Riggins.