Brian Bolton to head Cranwell International Center
Brian Bolton has been named director of Cranwell International Center at Virginia Tech.
Bolton comes to Virginia Tech from Longwood University, where he directed services for international students and scholars.
Cranwell International Center promotes intercultural exchange, fosters a welcoming environment, and enhances the experience of all university and community participants through quality programming, strong advocacy, valuable services, and partnerships with other university and community entities.
“With 2,510 international students from 108 countries on campus, Virginia Tech embraces a vibrant and varied cultural milieu,” said Patty Perillo, vice president for student affairs. “Brian’s academic background and global experiences make him an ideal leader for our collaborative work with international students, faculty, staff, and their families.”
Bolton was founding director of Tel Aviv University's international Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts program, creating the institution's first undergraduate degree program taught in English. Prior to that, he worked as a foreign service officer and regional educational advising coordinator for the Department of State, with postings in Mexico City, London, Tel Aviv, and Washington.
His experience also includes a year of service with Albemarle County Schools as an advocate and teacher for migrant farmworker families.
Fluent in English, Spanish, French, and Hebrew, Bolton holds a bachelor's degree in linguistics and cognitive science from the University of Virginia, and an master's degree in conflict resolution and mediation from Tel Aviv University.
Cranwell International Center is committed to the university’s globalization initiatives and provides primary support programs and services for the international community. They include:
- Orientation for newly arrived international students and employees;
- Immigration advising and support for international undergraduates and dependents;
- Coordination of international week during spring semester, including the popular international street fair;
- The English Conversation Group program, which is facilitated entirely by volunteer community members, university faculty, staff, and students;
- Social and cultural activities;
- International success programs; and
- Crisis support and personal assistance for international students.
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging approach to education, preparing scholars to be leaders in their fields and communities. As the commonwealth’s most comprehensive university and its leading research institution, Virginia Tech offers 240 undergraduate and graduate degree programs to more than 31,000 students and manages a research portfolio of $513 million. The university fulfills its land-grant mission of transforming knowledge to practice through technological leadership and by fueling economic growth and job creation locally, regionally, and across Virginia.
