Global Brown Center

About

The Global Brown Center seeks to build an equitable and diverse campus community that emphasizes intercultural dialogue, thus empowering future global thinkers and leaders.

The Global Brown Center for International Students (GBC), formerly known as International Student Experience (ISE) Center, was established in May 2017 within the Division of Campus Life in order to develop programming to support and engage our undergraduate and graduate international community.

Mission

The mission of the Global Brown Center (GBC) for International Students is to serve and support the international student community at Brown. GBC provides orientations, programming, and resources through which students can embrace and celebrate their international identities, while also recognizing and appreciating the diversity of their experiences.

Our center aims to foster an inclusive community and create a home away from home. Also, by raising awareness of Brown’s diverse student body, educating students on self-advocacy, and encouraging intercultural dialogue, we seek to promote an increasingly equitable campus community. GBC advances the university’s mission by empowering and enabling international students to thrive in all aspects of their lives at Brown.

Meet Our Team

  • Andrew Heald

    Director for the Global Brown Center for International Students

    As the Director for the Global Brown Center for International Students, Andrew works to enhance and uplift the experience of international undergraduate and graduate students through intersectional and intentional practice that centers advocacy and the international student voice. With the help of a dedicated professional and student staff, Andrew organizes international student orientations, advises student organizations, and builds intentional community spaces here at Brown University. Andrew holds a Master's in Education Policy, Organization and Leadership with a concentration in Global Studies in Education and a postgraduate diploma in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration Studies from the University of London.

  • Yanjie (Ruby) Cheng

    Assistant Director, Global Brown Center for International Students

    Yanjie (Ruby) Cheng is the inaugural Assistant Director of the Global Brown Center for International Students (GBC). In this role, she develops, implements, and assesses intersectional programming that fosters a strong sense of belonging for Brown's internationally identified community. Ruby also leads Brown's international orientation, oversees the International Mentoring Program (IMP), and supports the GBC director in advancing the university's mission of creating an inclusive community that promotes equity and empowers international students to thrive in all aspects of their lives at Brown.

    Ruby holds a doctorate degree in Leadership for Educational Equity from the University of Colorado Denver and brings over ten years of professional experience as a dedicated advocate for international students. Prior to joining Brown, she served as the Director of International Enrollment at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs. Ruby has presented at international conferences such as the EducationUSA Forum, NAFSA, International Association of College Admissions and Counseling (International ACAC), ChinaICAC, and Association of International Education Administrators (AIEA). Her research focuses on international students' acculturation and sense of belonging, and her advocacy articles have been published in professional and scholarly journals.

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