New leadership at WMU's International Student and Scholar Services

KALAMAZOO, Mich. –  The Haenicke Institute for Global Education (HIGE) announces new leadership at International Student and Scholar Services. The new staff join the global education office at Western Michigan University at the launch of a new, strategic three-year international student recruitment plan.

Amber Li comes to Western Michigan University (WMU) from Notre Dame and is the new senior director of International Student and Scholar Services (I3S). Daing S. Nasir, who most recently worked at Indiana State University, is the new director of international recruiting and admissions.

"We are so happy to have experienced colleges join us," says Dr. Rosemary Max, associate vice president of global education at WMU. "Amber and Daing have years of experience in recruiting and welcoming international students to the U.S. They will be a key part of making WMU a clear destination for international students."

For the first time, WMU will host its international recruiting partners from across the world on campus this summer to help solidify and finalize its international recruitment strategy, which includes reviewing 10-years of enrollment data and meeting with campus partners.

WMU hosts over 1,000 international students from 95 countries. The I3S office supports admissions, immigration, student success and post-graduation job training. "It has been a challenging year for international education. We have seen travel bans that affect our international students and conflicts that make the decision to travel home or study abroad more complicated," says Max. "It is also a challenging but rewarding time for HIGE staff who seek to support our students during these times."

Meet Amber Li, Senior Director of International Student and Scholar Services

Li brings more than 13-years of experience in higher education to her new role, with a background spanning international education, graduate enrollment management, student support and cross-functional leadership. 

Before joining WMU, Li served in both the College of Engineering at Notre Dame and at Notre Dame Global, the university's international office. There, she led graduate enrollment management and global engagement programs. 

Her work focused on building systems and partnerships that strengthen the student experience and advance institutional goals. "WMU's reputation for truly supporting its international community is what brought me here, and I'm excited to contribute to that mission," says Li. 

Li holds a B.A. from China Pharmaceutical University and a M.A. from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D. in Organizational Leadership at Northeastern University.  

Meet Daing S. Nasir, Director of International Recruiting and Admissions

Daing S. Nasir is a two-time graduate of Western Michigan University who recently returned to Kalamazoo after nearly 15 years away. He brings experience in international student enrollment and immigration services, having held leadership roles at institutions across the United States.

A native of Malaysia, Nasir was a 2010 Fulbright-Hays scholar to Indonesia. Most recently, he served as director of international and graduate admissions at Indiana State, where he led initiatives to expand global recruitment efforts and strengthen graduate enrollment. He also served as a scholarship advisor with Saudi Aramco in Houston, Texas, where he supported sponsored students and professionals pursuing educational opportunities in North America. 

Born in Kalamazoo and the child of two Broncos, Nasir views his return to WMU as a true homecoming. “I am honored to return to my alma mater and the alma mater of my parents," he says. "WMU equipped me with the academic foundation and hands-on experiences that have guided me throughout my career. I look forward to elevating WMU’s global presence and recruiting the next generation of Broncos from around the world.”