International Programs is pleased to announce that Kristen Colbrecht will serve as director of International Student and Scholar Services, effective Nov. 1. Colbrecht has been interim director since July 2023. She joined ISSS in June 2011 and served as an international student adviser and then international student coordinator and assistant director of international student and scholar services.

Colbrecht earned a master’s degree in intercultural relations from Lesley University in Boston. She is originally from Michigan, where she completed her bachelor’s degree in international relations at Grand Valley State University and studied abroad in Poland and Mexico.

A past participant of the Chancellor’s Emerging Leaders Program and NAFSA Management Development Program, Colbrecht has served NAFSA Region IV as the international student and scholar services representative and the international student and scholar services regulatory ombudsperson. She is also a NAFSA Trainer Corps member and enjoys training new professionals in the field.

“I enjoy working in International Student and Scholar Services,” said Colbrecht. “Our international community has sacrificed so much to come to the U.S. to pursue their dreams in the classroom and beyond. It is a privilege to work with our diverse community of students and scholars and to see them achieve their lifelong goals.”