OIP Welcomes New International Student Services Director

Seton Hall University welcomes Shao Chen Pann-Carr as the new Director of International Student Services this August, who will lead and provide oversight for the Office of International Programs support services for our growing international student population.

With over eleven years of experience in international education(IE), Shao Chen Pan-Carr, who also goes by Johanna, specializes in F-1 and J-1 student regulatory advising, programming and fostering community for international students and scholars on campus. Johanna grew up in Taiwan and immigrated to the U.S. when she was 15. Although she was never an international student herself, she feels that she can often relate to students as they go through adjustment periods in a new country. After receiving her bachelor's degree in economics from the College of William and Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, Johanna worked briefly in the manufacturing business. Throughout her college years, she participated in student clubs, organized conferences on diversity and access issues and served as a summer program counselor in the Office of Multicultural Affairs. She realized that her passion lies in working with students. As a result, Johanna returned to school and completed her master's degree in Higher Education Administration from New York University and began her career in the IE field.

Over the years, Johanna has worked for NYU Shanghai in China, one of the study away sites at NYU; NAFSA, a membership based professional association providing support network and resources for international educators; as an international student advisor at Fordham University; as well as her most recent position at New York University, serving 25,000 international students. She is an active member of the NAFSA and has volunteered to be on the Chair Stream from 2019-2021 organizing virtual conferences for international educators in the New York and New Jersey region during COVID. She was also the recipient of the 2016 NAFSA Rising Star Young Leader Award. A member of the NAFSA Trainer Corps since 2015, she participates in training young professionals in the IE field and served as a lead trainer in various F-1 visa related professional development workshops at NAFSA conferences. She values mentoring and cultivating future professionals. Johanna expresses her excitement for the role, "I look forward to joining the Seton Hall community and taking part in OIP's mission to create, support and encourage international activities throughout the campus. I am also very excited to collaborate with other offices on campus to continue fostering positive experiences of our students and participate in the University's effort and vision on global initiatives."

The most memorable study abroad experience Johanna had was learning about the educational reform in South Africa.

"I am thrilled to welcome Johanna Pann-Carr to Seton Hall. Her extensive experience and proven leadership in international education make her the ideal person to lead International Student Services. Her appointment aligns well with our strategic goal of internationalization, as we continue to recruit the most talented students from across the globe and expand our global partnerships," states Assistant Provost Mary Kate Naatus. Under Johanna Pann-Carr's leadership, the Office of International Student Services will play a key leadership role in enhancing the international student experience, as well as strengthening ties with global partners, ensuring that international students receive the support they need to thrive academically and socially. The Office of International Programs supports students across all three campuses, encompassing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs, along with the ESL program on the main campus.

Categories: Education