Jacqueline Leighton
Photo: Denise Applewhite
Jacqueline Leighton, who has more than 15 years of experience in managing international programs and services, has been appointed director of the Davis International Center at Princeton. Her appointment is effective Wednesday, Aug. 18.
Reporting to Vice Provost for International Initiatives Diana Davies, Leighton will oversee programs offered through the Davis International Center to promote cross-cultural understanding and to support international students and scholars at Princeton. She will serve as a liaison to the University community on international student, scholar and visitor issues, including working with the Friends of the Davis International Center volunteers and host families who help international visitors learn about Princeton and living in the United States.
Her responsibilities will include supervising visa services, developing advising resources for international students and scholars, organizing campus orientations, designing intercultural training series, and overseeing cultural and educational programs sponsored by the center.
"Our search committee was impressed with Jackie's deep and broad understanding of issues related to international student and scholar services," Davies said. "Students who met with her commented that they appreciated how clearly she is able to lay out her vision for the center, but also noted that she is approachable and open to student feedback. Her strong leadership skills shine through in all her interactions with students, staff, faculty and volunteers, and these skills will be critical in building a new center that is responsive to the changing needs of our ever-increasingly international campus."
Leighton will come to Princeton from Montclair State University, where she has served as director of international services since 1995. She previously was coordinator of international affairs at Hunter College of the City University of New York from 1986 to 1995. She currently is chairperson of the National Management Development Program for NAFSA: Association of International Educators, which provides leadership training to professionals working in international education.
"My mission at Princeton University is to bring my expertise, passion and lifelong dedication for meeting the cultural, legal, academic and advocacy needs of students and scholars from around the world," Leighton said. "Through my work with the superb staff of the newly restructured Davis International Center, my goal is to lay a solid framework for future inspired relationships between international students and scholars, Princeton University and American society."
Leighton earned a bachelor's degree in speech/drama from William Woods College and a master's degree in college counseling and student development from Hunter College.
The Davis International Center will be housed on the first floor of 120 Alexander St., moving from Frist Campus Center, for the 2010-11 academic year. As part of a larger reorganization of international student and scholar services at the University, it will include the staff of the Office of Visa Services and also the director of international student programs and undergraduate services at the Davis International Center.
The previous director of the Davis International Center was Paula Chow, who retired June 30.
