International Student Programs Advisor, PDSO
Elizabethtown College
Maria Petty is the International Student Programs Advisor & PDSO at a private, liberal arts college in Elizabethtown, PA, aptly named, Elizabethtown College. Prior to Etown, Maria worked in International Recruitment and International Student Advising in Nashville, TN where she earned her bachelor's in Mass Communication and master's in Organizational Leadership. In her roles, Maria has been a one-person office dedicated to supporting students throughout the full student lifecycle by assisting international students in acclimating to U.S. culture, customs, and classroom dynamics, ensuring a smooth transition in academics and student life. Maria holds a deep commitment to fostering a welcoming environment through building personal relationships, creating engaging programming tailored to the unique needs of international students, and advocating for their success in and out of the classroom. Maria's love of international travel initially brought her into higher education with the simple phrase on a job description, "International travel required." What has made her stay is the excitement of building connections and learning with students from around the world.
WS18: Creating Programming and Engagement Initiatives in Higher Education
Tuesday, May 27, 2025
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM PST