Corey Farris, dean of students at West Virginia University, has been elected to serve a three-year term on the National Student Exchange board of directors.

The NSE is an undergraduate study-away program much like study abroad. However, rather than crossing oceans, NSE students cross state, regional, provincial and cultural borders.

Farris was elected to represent universities in the country’s southeast region. He will start his term in March 2013 during the NSE annual conference.

“I am honored that my counterparts at other universities have elected me to represent them on the NSE governing council,” Farris said.

WVU has been a member of the NSE consortium since 1991. This is the second time Farris has been elected to serve on the NSE board of directors. He also served from 1997 to 2000, and during this time, he was elected chair from 1998 to 2000.

Through this program, students take a semester or academic year to attend another fully accredited participating institution while making progress toward their WVU degree. The NSE, a not-for-profit education consortium, is comprised of nearly 200 colleges and universities throughout the U.S., Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The consortium allows students to exchange for up to one academic year at a host institution.

By participating in the program, students can broaden their personal and educational experiences, explore and appreciate new cultures and take courses not offered at WVU. In addition, participants can learn from different professors, explore new areas of study, expand academic program options and investigate graduate schools or employment opportunities. Participation can also help students break out of their comfort zones and experience personal growth.

“WVU students who have participated in this exchange program have returned to WVU with amazing life changing stories. They have shared with me some incredible experiences and pictures from taking oceanography classes in North Carolina to studying active volcanoes in Hawaii,” Farris said.

-WVU-

ta/02/13/13

CONTACT: Corey Farris, Student Affairs
304-293-4491, Corey.Farris@mail.wvu.edu

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