Staton Appointed to NAFSA Board of Directors | Eastern NC Now

    Publisher's note: The author of this post, Jamie Smith, is a contributor to ECU News Services.

    East Carolina University Chancellor Cecil P. Staton has been appointed to the NAFSA: Association of International Educators board of directors.

    NAFSA, based in Washington, D.C., is the world's largest and most comprehensive nonprofit association of professionals dedicated to international education with more than 10,000 members, representing 3,500-plus institutions in more than 150 countries. In 2016, ECU was among seven colleges and universities that received the organization's prestigious Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization.

    As a member of the board of directors, Staton will help oversee the strategic directions of the association.

    "I am happy to have the opportunity to play a larger role in supporting and advocating for global learning through this great organization," said Staton. "NAFSA's ability to provide educational leaders in internationalization efforts with the resources they need is vital to the success of our campuses and communities."

    "NAFSA is proud to be able to attract such dynamic leadership to serve on our board of directors," explained Esther D. Brimmer, NAFSA executive director and CEO. "Cecil's leadership and commitment to international education at ECU continue to be the driving force behind ECU's outstanding and innovative achievements in campus internationalization. I am sure that his breadth and depth of experience will strengthen NAFSA and help us continue to move international education forward for students and scholars in the United States and around the world."


Chancellor Cecil P. Staton (Photo by Cliff Hollis)
    Staton has been a strong advocate for increasing international experiences for students and faculty since coming to ECU as chancellor in 2016. "Students will live and work in a global, knowledge-based economy," Staton said. "Employers desire a workforce that is globally aware. That is a priority for ECU and NAFSA is the national organization that is committed to advancing international education and global awareness on campuses across the US and abroad."

    In November, approximately $120,000 in scholarships were awarded to more than 90 students to help with study abroad opportunities at ECU. In March, Staton and his wife Catherine made a $100,000 commitment to fund scholarships for international education at ECU.

    Staton remarked, "It is not too much to say that my study abroad experience as a first-generation college student broadened my perspective on the world and prepared me for a journey that would take me to the University of Oxford for my doctoral work. I want more students to have such an experience, and while we can't send every student abroad, we can bring the world to ECU through international students and faculty and through technology. ECU students should have the same opportunities as students at other universities to prepare for the global economy they will work in throughout their lives."