G(eneral) M(anager)

[Under] the vision and goals of experienced advisors, this week, the International Students’ Council and ASWSU kicks off International Education Week.
International Center Coordinator Chad M. Goeden and Dan Maher, the Coordinator for Student and Organizational Development have [led behind the scenes to produce this weeks events.]
Goeden arrived this year at WSU after several years at the University of Wisconsin Green Bay campus. He is optimistic [IEW] can start a conversation.
“Maybe what this week will do is open up eyes and say maybe this is something I’m interested in,” said Goeden.
IEW typically starts with a keynote speaker to unify the week [under] a theme. Naomi Tutu, this [years] keynote speaker, [spoke] along the theme of, [“The differences that color life.”] Tutu is the daughter of Desmond Tutu, founder of the Tutu Foundation, which from 1985 to 1990, aided South African refugees. Tutu carries on the mission of peace and human rights that her father started, Goeden said. This week is about cultural competency, Goeden said. He [talks about] a world that is becoming increasingly globalized and international.
“We can hope that people will discuss [what Naomi talks about, that it] can spark a discussion,” said Goeden. Talking can raise questions. If things progress, the next step is active engagement, Goeden said.
[If Goeden is the [youthful enthusiast] leading the IEW, Maher is his [moderate counterpart.] For 27 years, Maher has worked at WSU year after year advising the International Students Council and coordinating events such as the IEW. His role this year centers on logistics and practicalities. Maher sees himself as a coach.
“My goal is to help students meet their goals,” said Maher.
Progress can be tough however. [Upperclassmen] normally take [on] leadership roles, making continuity difficult, Goeden said. Still, a lack of continuity does not stop Maher from his mission. There is a certain fulfillment that goes both ways, Maher said. What the student body does with the week is a question of how people apply it, Maher said. He asks though if it is time to change the week from a social to substantive event.
“Is it time to approach things on a more substantive level[,]” said Maher. “The deeper [people] get, it can get scary, even if [its] positive.”
[Yet,] he gets to see people succeed, [Maher said]
“Its not frustrating for me,” says Goeden.
He gets to see people succeed.

I get to work with people who’ve had different cultural experiences. We’re all working toward a common experience. No one says that was a nightmare. We were a part of this.

Dan Maher
dmaher@wsu.edu
509-335-2284

Chad M. Goeden
cgoeden@wsu.edu