By: Lamesha Green (Whetstone Staff Writer)

 

All Kevin Cullen wanted to do at Wesley was teach English as a second language part time.

Instead, he became the college’s International Program’s director when Dr. Susan Cooper, the former director, went back to teaching.

Cullen was born and raised in Long Island, N.Y., to study at the University of Maryland, where he earned his Bachelor’s degree in 1991 and his Master’s from Wilmington University in 1993.

Before retiring, Cullen served 27 years in the U.S. Air Force and then later became a business development consultant until 2010.

“I love the Wesley environment,” Cullen said. “It’s small, intimate, and is a nice change after spending so much time in the U.S. Air Force and in business.”

Cullen hopes to get students more involved with the International Program.

“Wesley’s goal is to expand the number of International students over the next five years,” he said. “The world is a small place now and its important that students are attuned to the world as a whole.”

International students say he’s giving his all.

“Kevin is a very nice and responsible advisor,” said senior Wei Zhu, a Chinese exchange student. “He spares no efforts to help us since he understand our difficult situation for being an exchange student.”

Zhu also said Cullen never refuses to help students.

“He is like my father and the only person who made me feel like I was at home in the U.S.A.,” she said. “Being in the International program is a precious time for me even though I get frustrated and heavily homesick at times I know that I’ll be successful getting the experience other people don’t have.”

Paul Flanagan, an exchange student from Ireland, said he also loves Cullen.

“Kevin is a great asset to Wesley College in his role as international director,” he said. “He’s always willing to help out and invite us over for coffee, he is very kind and welcoming - true gentleman.”

Flanagan said he thinks the international program at Wesley is great because of Cullen.

“The international program and the staff in the international house are excellent and have played a huge part in my settling-in at Wesley,” he said. “The field trips and activities which Kevin has organized for us have been a lot of fun and I very much enjoy stopping by his office with Lilas et al for a cup of coffee and a chat.”

The International Program also manages the Study Abroad for Wesley students.

“While studying abroad, our students can virtiually study anything basically anywhere in the world,” Cullen said. “We also recruit International students and people to support them once the students are here and encourage the students to participate in culture activities for language support.”

Cullen hopes to take Wesley’s International Program to the next level.

“We’re in the process of developing a stronger international student association with the ISA,” he said. “My biggest goal and hopes for the International Program is to strengthen the overall support and infrastructure, including faculty space, culture awareness for faculty, staff, and students or whatever is necessary to support International students’ need.”

Although he’s new, Cullen says he fits right in at Wesley.

“I find it inspiring to be around people who continuing are trying to improve themselves,” he said. “The faculty and staff here have been great to work with. They are very cooriparitive, supportive, and they believe in the need for International studies.”