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Maria Anastasiou, Ph.D.
Associate Provost for International Programs
As Associate Provost for International Programs, Maria leads UNC Greensboro’s internationalization efforts by working closely with multiple constituents across campus to create and implement global learning opportunities for students, faculty, and staff. Prior to joining UNC Greensboro, Maria served as Executive Director in the Office of International Education and Development at Appalachian State University. Maria also served as the Director of International Programs at USC-Aiken and as Director of the Lifelong Learning Program financed by the European Union at Frederick University in Cyprus. Maria received her BA in Economics and International Studies from the University of North Carolina—Chapel Hill and her MA and Ph.D. in International Studies from the University of South Carolina. Maria has taught numerous classes on Foreign Policy and International Relations and likes to teach college-level classes when time permits. She is a native of Cyprus and came to the US in 1994 on a Fulbright Scholarship for her college education.
Denise Bellamy
Senior Director, International Programs
Denise joined the Spartan family over 15 years ago and serves as the Senior Director of International Programs. She began her career with IPC as the Assistant Director of Study Abroad and Exchange Programs supporting inbound international student mobility efforts. As a military dependent, she spent her childhood traveling and continues to have that same passion today. She holds a Masters of Education in International Higher Education Leadership (Emphasis in Multicultural Counseling) from Old Dominion University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University. Denise enjoys encouraging young people to think, learn, and experience life globally!
Contact Denise about: new and existing global partnerships, international agreements, and hosting international guests
Lei Xue
Assistant Director for International Student Recruitment
Originally from China, Lei began her journey as an international student pursuing a Bilingual Education Master's Degree in Los Angeles. Following the completion of her master's degree, Lei started her teaching career at the high school level in the greater Boston area, where she worked for almost ten years. Lei's unique cultural insights, linguistic proficiency, and educational acumen positioned her to be in high demand as an advisor for high school and college applications, particularly for international students navigating the challenges of studying in a foreign country. In her role at UNCG, Lei is dedicated to helping the university recruit a diverse population of students from all over the world.
Derek Holmgren
International Programs Coordinator
Derek joined the IPC in 2023 as the International Programs Coordinator, supporting internationalization efforts at all UNC System campuses. Derek reports on system-wide international programs to the University Council on International Programs, and he works with the Council to identify and address members’ priorities. In addition, he serves as the UNC System’s liaison for the Baden-Württemberg / UNC System Exchange Program. Derek has previously worked as a non-profit grants writer and has taught European history classes at Wake Forest University, Greensboro College, and UNC Greensboro. He participated in undergraduate education abroad programs in Bosnia and Greece, and he has held two Fulbright grants to Germany. He earned a PhD and MA in History from UNC Chapel Hill and a BA in History from the University of Denver.
Dafne Sanchez
Administrative Support Associate
Dafne joined UNCG as an administrative support associate in 2022. She is passionate about making higher education accessible and welcoming for all, and enjoys collaborating with colleagues across the University community. Influenced by her experiences growing up an immigrant in the United States and working in Germany, she finds facilitating intercultural exchange for incoming and outgoing students, faculty, and international visitors highly valuable and deeply rewarding. In her free time, Dafne enjoys travel, art, biking, and birds.
Contact Dafne for travel registry questions and general or specific administrative assistance relating to International Programs.
Study Abroad and Exchanges
The office of Study Abroad and Exchanges is here to help you discover the many options that will enhance your educational experiences. Through partnerships with other institutions around the world, we develop a myriad of exchange opportunities. We provide support to international exchange students who have chosen to study at UNCG. We invite our students to broaden their perspectives. We open doors to new adventures for exchange students here at this university and for UNCG students ready to meet different cultures outside the United States.Derek Bradley
Director for Study Abroad
Derek Bradley (He/Him)
Contact Derek about: All things Study Abroad
Logan Stanfield
Assistant Director of Study Abroad and Exchange
Logan has been with the Study Abroad & Exchange at IPC since 2008. Prior to starting his career in education abroad, Logan spent a summer teaching English in Guangzhou, China, followed by an exchange to the Chinese University of Hong Kong during his junior year at UNCG. Logan loves skiing, travelling together with his wife, Ginni, and helping students realize their dreams for discovery around the globe.
Contact Logan about: studying abroad, transfer credit for returning study abroad students, etc.
Tara Hall
Faculty-Led Coordinator
International Student and Scholar Services
The International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) unit within the International Programs Center offers advising, visa services, and training to support our international students, scholars and faculty.
- International Students
- We assist incoming and enrolled international students with U.S. visa and immigration matters and provide advising on how to stay in status throughout UNC Greensboro enrollment and through practical training periods (OPT).
- International Scholars
- We’re here to guide J-1 scholars through compliance with all federal rules and regulations.
- Faculty and Staff Resources
- ISSS can help you support, advise and maintain the status of your students and scholars.
Jennifer Kelley
Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Originally from Ohio, Jennifer has lived in many cities across the United States. She came to UNCG after four years in Honolulu, HI to earn her Bachelor of Science degree from UNCG’s Bryan School of Business and Economics. She has been working at IPC in many different capacities since August 2008. She has always enjoyed traveling and learning about different cultures and languages. Her experiences abroad have included time spent in Brazil, England, Scotland, China, Spain, the Czech Republic, and Tahiti.
Contact Jen about: International students with last names that start with K-P; Hosting a J-1 scholar in your department, I-20/visa compliance matters, international scholarships, degree-seeking retention matters, and all other matters related to international degree-seeking students.
Norma Velazquez
Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor
Norma is originally from Mexico. For over 15 years, she has worked at the International Programs Center providing foreign students and faculty with services and programs that enrich their experience at UNCG and Greensboro. Some of those services include delivering guidance and support throughout the students and scholars’ journey at UNCG and the United States; providing information to university faculty and staff on the protocols for hosting international visiting scholars at UNCG; applying program knowledge in answering questions and handling difficult issues such as unexpected financial situations, medical emergencies and catastrophes in home countries; and connecting students and scholars with university and community resources accordingly. Norma’s dedication to the fields of student affairs, international education and academic instruction and passion for UNCG have also been established through her educational and personal interests. Those include studies in Higher Education Administration and Teacher Education with emphasis in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages to contribute to students’ academic and personal success in the United States. Norma holds a Master of Arts degree in Conflict and Peace Studies and a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Systems & Operations Management. She is passionate about topics related to language acquisition, student holistic development, visa compliance and multicultural affairs.
Contact Norma about: International students with last names that start with A-J, international degree-seeking student advising, interest in enrolling international students in your degree program.
Delisha Stafford
Assistant Director
Dee received her B.A. in Communication Studies from UNCG in 2009. She studied abroad to France in 2008, an opportunity that was a life- changing experience to a first generation college graduate. After interning in several study abroad offices, Dee worked at North Carolina A&T State University while completing her Masters of Science in Higher Education in 2014. She recently transitioned to UNCG in November and is thrilled to be serving the students of her alma mater.
Contact Dee about: studying at UNCG as a J-1 exchange student from a partner university, exchange student advising, or International student advising for students with last names that start with Q-Z