“Our international students are always doing double the work: balancing academics while adjusting to U.S. culture. iCEP has given me the tools to empower their confidence and become a better advisor.”
– Kayla O’Donnell, Assistant Director, DSO/ARO, International Student and Scholar Services, University at Albany
With over a decade of experience in international education, Kayla O’Donnell has worked tirelessly to support international students at the University at Albany. As a Designated School Official (DSO), she has a unique perspective on the challenges these students face and is passionate about helping them succeed.
We had the chance to sit down with Kayla and discuss her experience working with international students, her motivations for joining the iCEP: Cross-Cultural Advisory Academy, and how the program has influenced her approach to advising.
Can you share a little about your background and why you’re passionate about helping international students succeed?
“I’ve been in the international education field for 10 years, 9 years as a Designated School Official. International students are some of our most motivated, talented, and dedicated students. They add so much to our universities, local communities, and workforce, and I am very humbled to help students achieve their educational and professional goals.”
What inspired you to join the iCEP Academy, and how do you hope it will shape your work with international students?
“Our field is constantly evolving, and we work with students from diverse cultures, backgrounds, and situations. Hearing from experts like Kwan and others in the field about the strategies they use enables me to be a better advisor. There is no ‘one size fits all’ with international student advising, and the iCEP taught me new strategies and viewpoints to consider when advising students.”
How has the iCEP experience so far inspired you or reinforced your passion for supporting international students?
“Our international students are always doing double the work: not only are they students, they are also trying to understand their experience within U.S. culture, which is new to many of them. Empowering students to feel confident in themselves is a passion of mine, and iCEP has reinforced this passion by providing tools to be an even better advisor for students.”
What advice would you give to others thinking about joining the iCEP Academy?
“Whether you are already in the international education field, plan to be, or are in another field but want to expand your tools and knowledge for supporting international students you work with, the iCEP has what you need! It is suitable for advisors of all experience levels. The iCEP will empower you and make you confident in your skillset when working with international students so that you can pass on that confidence to your students.”
What excites you most about the upcoming modules and how you can apply what you’ve learned to your work?
“As an advisor I can always get better and learn new strategies. Every student is different, so having a large ‘toolbox’ of strategies lets me pick which approach best fits an individual student’s situation. This can be daunting when working with international students who come from hundreds of different cultures, but the growth mindset of iCEP sets up advisors to succeed by always being curious and intentional in their interactions with international students.”
