The challenges of maintaining international students’ presence on campus was the focus of a recet n“MTSU On the Record” radio program.

Host Gina Logue’s interview with Dr. Robert Summers, vice provost of international affairs, first aired Aug. 11 on WMOT-FM Roots Radio 89.5 and www.wmot.org. You can listen to their conversation above.

Dr. Robert Summers

Summers, who began his new duties July 1, most recently was assistant provost for global engagement at State University of New York-Buffalo State.

He takes the leadership of the Office of International Affairs as the fall 2020 semester approaches with nearly 500 international students registered and ready to study at MTSU.

Despite travel limitations that have evolved from the COVID-19 pandemic, Summers said he aspires to increase the number of international students attending MTSU.

Though the university’s relationship with the Confucius Institute is winding down, Summers maintains that China will continue to be an important part of international educational relationships.

“If we think about the top senders of international students to MTSU, the first is Saudi Arabia,” Summers said. “The second is the Bahamas, and the third is China. You see very clearly there the importance of China and the good relationship with our Chinese partner institutions to keep those numbers of students coming on campus.”

A native of Putnam County, Tennessee, Summers earned bachelor’s degrees in French and history from Tennessee Technological University in Cookeville, Tennessee.

He received his master’s degree in French from MTSU and his doctorate in second language acquisition/industrial technology from the University of South Florida.

To hear previous “MTSU On the Record” programs, visit the searchable “Audio Clips” archives at www.mtsunews.com.

For more information about the radio program, contact Logue at 615-898-5081 or WMOT-FM at 615-898-2800.