February 9, 2006 - Rider Appoints MacAde Director of International Programs

Joseph MacAde, who has a wealth of experience managing international student and scholar programs, has been named director of international programs at Rider University.

MacAde assumes control of this newly-established position, which enables Rider to bring together all international student responsibilities into one office. As a result the office will oversee study abroad opportunities for Rider students; exchange students coming from abroad to study at Rider for a semester or two; longer-term international students who want to earn Rider degrees, and international student activities.

“We are delighted to have Joseph MacAde lead our international programs,” said Dr. Phyllis Frakt, vice president for academic affairs and provost.  “He has served in several important international positions for colleges and agencies throughout the United States and world.  He brings insight and perspective that will support Strategic Plan objectives, including attracting and providing services for more international students, establishing a comprehensive international education program, and supporting international study and international perspectives in the curriculum.”

MacAde will report to Dr. James Ottavio Castagnera, associate provost/associate counsel, who will continue to assist with faculty, staff and student visas and related legal issues, including international contracts.

According to Castagnera, this expansion includes Rider's dual-degree programs in China, which have already brought more than 50 students from Shanghai Sanda Institute to Lawrenceville for two-years of study.

“Other recent initiatives include short-course trips to Cuba, Costa Rica and other exciting destinations, new exchange programs with universities in Europe and South America, and a new Global and Multinational Studies major in which students regularly videoconference with their counterparts in places like the American University in Cairo,” said Castagnera.  “The University intends to pursue more such initiatives in the future and Joe will be a key player."

A native of Dublin, Ireland, MacAde has lived all over the world and most of his work experience has involved interaction with people from different cultures. Prior to joining Rider, he served as program officer for the American Councils for International Education in Washington, D.C.

Managing international student and scholar programs, he has garnered distinction serving as director of the Center for International Programs at St. Mary’s College of California; academic director for Mekong Institute for Development and Cooperation and program coordinator for the Preparation for American School Program,  in Khon Kaen and Phanat Nikhom, Thailand, respectively.

MacAde’s other professional experiences include serving as academic director of English Language Services/Berlitz in Qatar, Boston and Korea; and an assistant dean of students at the New England College International Campus in Sussex, England. In international programs at St. Mary’s, Merrimack, Emmanuel and Simmons colIeges, he worked as an Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) designated school official. Further rounding out his experience, he has served as a consultant/researcher for World Bank Education Office in Washington, D.C. and as a consultant for Mahidol University School of Management in Bangkok, Thailand.

MacAde earned his bachelor’s degree cum laude in history from Merrimack College, a Master degree in international administration from Ohio University, and a Master degree in education from the University of Massachusetts. He is currently enrolled in the doctoral program in education with a concentration in the economics of education and international education policy and planning at the University of Maryland.

“Rider University has great opportunities for attracting larger numbers of international students,” said MacAde. “I am very excited about being a part of ground floor initiatives here at Rider.”