THIBODAUX, La. – Nicholls State University hosted a meet and greet for its fall 2023 incoming international students and their dignitaries on Friday, Aug. 25, at The Brew coffee shop in Ellender Memorial Library. Invitees included students from Indonesia, Venezuela, Cyprus, Cameroon, and Papua New Guinea.
Nicholls’ president, vice provost, vice president of student affairs, assistant vice presidents, deans, department heads, faculty members from the department of sciences and technology, and staff from admissions and international student services attended the function to show extended support and appreciation to these students.
A group of 43 students from Papua New Guinea’s various STEM-focused National Schools of Excellence were given scholarships by their National Department of Education to study at 2 U.S. universities for 4 years, with 13 students attending Nicholls State University and 30 attending South Dakota State University. These students will have the opportunity to study overseas for specific courses not available in their home country.
“We are excited to welcome all of our new international students to Nicholls this semester and are thrilled that this special group of STEM students from Papua New Guinea selected us as their school of choice. We are lucky to have them here, and I know that the Nicholls community will make them feel at home,” said Marilyn Gonzalez, director of Nicholls International Student Services.
Several members of Papua New Guinea’s National Department of Education and National Schools of Excellence STEM program traveled with students to aid in their transition to Nicholls campus:
- Kive Kererembo, Assistant Secretary for Secondary Schools
- Dr. Clement Waine, STEM Consultant, National Department of Education
- Benny Rayappan, Assistant Secretary, National Schools of Excellence
- Jayson Kopeap, STEM Advisor
- Martha Mago, STEM Coordinator
- Rose Paka, Office Administrator
International students invited to the meet and greet included:
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For more information on Nicholls International Student Services, please visit https://www.nicholls.edu/international/.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, September 13, 2023
MEDIA CONTACT: Payton Suire
Media Relations & Publications Coordinator,
985.448.4141 or payton.suire@nicholls.edu