A welcome from the new senior director of International Student and Scholar Services

Contact: Amber Li

July 13, 2026

Amber Li is the new senior director of International Student and Scholar Services at Western Michigan University. Her office is in the Global Education suite at 3110 Faunce Student Services.

Hello! My name is Amber Li, and I recently joined Western Michigan University (WMU) as the senior director of International Student and Scholar Services (I3S). I'm honored to introduce myself to you, and I'd like to start by sharing why this work matters so much to me.

My mission to serve and work alongside our international students and scholars is deeply personal. In 2009, I came to the United States for the first time as an international student, arriving on an F-1 visa to study at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln.

That single decision to study abroad changed the course of my life. I not only stayed after completing my master's degree—I built a career and a life here.

Throughout that journey, I felt supported, guided and genuinely welcomed by the communities I was part of, and I want to create exactly that kind of environment for our students at WMU.

Studying abroad is a brave thing to do. Whether you're here for a short language program, an exchange semester, or an entire degree, you've taken a courageous step. And as you move through your journey, you will build emotional resilience, cultural awareness, intellectual maturity, and so many other qualities and capabilities that will stay with you for the rest of your life.

I know this because I lived it—and I want you to know that the challenge is worth it.

WMU is a special place. This campus boasts an open mindset and a real eagerness for internationalization. That is what drew me here. Our I3S office supports you at every stage—from admissions and immigration to student success and post-graduation training. We are proud to serve a community of more than 1,000 international students on campus from 95 countries.

I'm excited to embark on this new journey: to create opportunities, provide robust services and advocate for the needs of our international population. My hope is to help build a truly engaging environment for everyone interested in intercultural exchange and global education, and to support HIGE in its mission to internationalize the WMU community.

Finally, I want you to know that my door is always open. Please stop by my office, introduce yourself and share what's on your mind—I would love to meet you.

Amber Li

Senior Director of International Student and Scholar Services
Haenicke Institute for Global Education
3110 Faunce Student Services

About the Haenicke Institute for Global Education

The Diether H. Haenicke Institute for Global Education, established in 1998, fosters an environment that supports the global engagement of the Western community. Its offices assist more than 1,000 international students and alumni at home and abroad with admissions, immigration, student success and post-graduation job training.

The institute also facilitates short- and long-term study abroad programs for students, faculty and staff, and hosts a variety of global learning initiatives to encourage a more globally engaged Kalamazoo. This includes providing scholarship and academic opportunities; K-12 outreach; and showcasing arts, entertainment and culture from around the world. Learn more about the Haenicke Institute for Global Education.

For more WMU news, arts and events, visit WMU News online.