Erin Koontz Bell
Interim Director, Global Experience Office
Email: ebell@wpi.edu
Office: Project Center, 2nd Floor
Erin leads the GEO office in providing risk management, travel education and preparation, and administrative support to students, faculty, and staff participating in WPI-sponsored off-campus travel. Erin studied abroad in Aix-En-Provence, France, where she developed her passion for learning about new cultures through travel. Since then she has been fortunate to visit every continent (except Antarctica!) through work, volunteer, and personal travel. She holds a BA in French from Muhlenberg College and an MS in Global and International Education from Drexel University.
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Gary Collins
Associate Director of Global Risk Management, Global Experience Office
Email: gcollins@wpi.edu
Gary Collins is WPI's designated point-person for international health, safety and security concerns. He also manages incidents which occur while you travel. Please contact him if you have any questions related to your travel.
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Dawn Fusaro Farmer
Administrative Assistant, Global Experience Office
Email: dfarmer@wpi.edu
Phone: +1 (508) 8315547
Deborah Fusaro
Program Coordinator, Global Experience Office
Email: dfusaro@wpi.edu
Phone: +1 (508) 8315000 x6941
As Program Coordinator, Global Experience Office, Deb is the student contact for IQP, MQP, ISRP, and Humanities Projects in the Americas, Africa and the Pacific regions and is responsible for preparing students for off-campus projects, and collecting and maintaining student and faculty travel information and documentation. She works with the Assistant Director of the Global Experience Office in coordinating the IQP application process. Deb earned a BS in Business Management from Boston College. ... View Profile
Julie is the primary faculty contact for off-campus programs in Europe, Asia and the Middle East & Northern Africa. She administers the off-campus MQP application process as well as outgoing exchange programs. Julie spent the fall of her junior year abroad in Perugia, Italy and after graduation spent four months volunteering in South East Asia. She has since returned to Vietnam eight times to volunteer at a local orphanage. Julie holds a BA in Psychology from Stonehill College and a MA in Higher Education Administration from Boston College.
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Kent J. Rissmiller
Dean of IGSD ad interim
Email: kjr@wpi.edu
Office: 240 Foise Innovation Studio
Phone: +1 (508) 8315000 x5019
Kent Rissmiller completed studies in political science at Muhlenberg College (AB) and Syracuse University (PhD). Along the way, he also completed a JD at the University of New Hampshire Law School, where he worked in the Energy Law Institute. Professor Rissmiller also worked for three years as an attorney for the Public Service Commission of Nevada, where he was involved in setting rates and policies for electric and water utilities. At WPI, Professor Rissmiller teaches government, law, and public policy. He also directs the Pre-Law program and oversees the Law and Technology minor. ... View Profile
Candace Carolyn Ruta
Program Coordinator, Global Experience Office
Email: ccruta@wpi.edu
Phone: +1 (508) 8315000 x6209
Candace is responsible for recruitment, general administration, orientation, and visas for the Global Projects Program. She is the main student contact for programs in Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Northern Africa, and also coordinates the Humanities and Arts application process. Candace earned her BS in Interdisciplinary Studies from Fitchburg State College (now Fitchburg State University), and went on to work in Residence Life before moving into Education Abroad. Candace lived and worked abroad with a group of first year students studying in Florence, Italy befor ... View Profile