New location more ‘inviting’ for WU students

By Alexis Austin
austina@thejohnsonian.com

The clocks with different times around the world remain in International Center’s main reception area. The office was moved to Dinkins so that all University College programs would be in one place. Photo by Stephanie Eaton • eatons@thejohnsonian.comThe ghost of Tillman will no longer haunt the International Center.

During the first week of October, the International Center, along with the other programs of University College, moved to Dinkins. Previously, Dinkins served as the student center, and University College programs were spread throughout various buildings on campus.

“There are some benefits to moving to Dinkins,” the director of the International Center Angie Edwards said. “It’s nice to have a building as University College. I get to see the dean more often, we can refer students to Dr. Disney in the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards, there is classroom space and more student traffic than in Tillman.”

Administrative specialist for the International Center Virginia Tawse said the new location is also beneficial to students.

“It’s great for students. We have a close proximity to classes. It’s not as intimidating as Tillman and it’s more inviting to students,” she said.

The International Center, once in Tillman 206, is now in Dinkins 218.

Those who work in the office are responsible  for recruiting international students, helping them get acclimated at the university and providing resources for students interested in studying abroad.

While the space may seem smaller to those who are used to the Tillman office, it’s actually the opposite.

“The total square footage is not smaller,” Edwards said. “It’s just laid out differently.”

The International Center spans across eight offices. These include the main reception area,  resource room, conference room and five offices. Each professional has his or her own office. The reception area also has computer kiosks and a flat-screen TV.

“It’s different,” assistant director of the International Center Lindsey Hill said. “It’s not bad to re-learn space. The parking is amazing, but I do miss the flow of office space.”

The professional offices are no longer next to each other, and the workspace graduate assistants used is now divided.

Since being at Winthrop, the International Center was also in the Cerra House and temporarily in various offices in Tillman. Hopefully, this is the last move for the International Center Edwards said.

“It would be nice to be on the other side of Oakland Avenue, but I don’t like moving, and we’re fortunate to have a dedicated space,” she said.