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Bob Skorczewski, a coordinator of international and graduate recruitment in the SIUE Office of Admissions, has been named chair-elect for Study Illinois. The position is a three-year cycle with Skorczewski assuming the chair’s responsibilities during 2016-17. This past year, he served as the organization’s secretary.

Study Illinois is a non-profit Illinois International Education Consortium dedicated to welcoming international students to the state. The organization is composed of member schools across Illinois, including public and private two-year and four-year schools. 

 “I am extremely honored to be able to continue serving on the board of Study Illinois,” Skorczewski said. “The organization is full of amazing professionals with whom I consider myself fortunate to work.”

Skorczewski’s primary SIUE responsibility is international recruitment, but he also works with prospective domestic graduate students.

Skorczewski sees the Study Illinois appointment as an opportunity for SIUE recruitment. “This will help SIUE stay engaged with other schools in Illinois in terms of international recruitment,” he said. “We will hear about upcoming recruitment events or potential opportunities for collaboration.”

With his three years on the board, Skorczewski hopes to continue increasing the profile of Illinois to international students. “I expect this will include some direct outreach to students via recruitment portals or virtual events,” he said. “I am sure we will also continue providing services like the international transfer fair each year.

“I would also like to see more schools join the organization, so that we can make sure the entire gamut of educational opportunities in Illinois is fully represented across the globe.”

Skorczewski believes the work is important, because campus internationalization benefits everyone. “Having a diverse student body increases the cultural awareness of students, faculty and staff,” he said. “There is also an economic impact of increasing international enrollment. According to NAFSA, the financial contribution of international students into the Illinois economy at $1.4 billion. The multiplier effect comes into play when you also consider that the spending of these students supported or created approximately 20,881 jobs in Illinois.”

Before landing at SIUE in 2013, Skorczewski was an admissions counselor at the University of Illinois Springfield (UIS) with his primary recruitment territory being Southern Illinois. When the UIS international recruiter departed, he began working with prospective international students.

A Nashville, Ill., native, Skorczewski earned a bachelor’s from UIS in political studies.

About Study Illinois

Illinois colleges and universities work together to increase the profile of the state’s higher education options. Transfer fairs are held annually for international students studying at language schools or community colleges that need an opportunity to ask questions to four-year schools who are familiar with the particular issues they have as international students. Study Illinois also engages with organizations like EducationUSA, the education arm of the U.S. State Department, to ensure that the message about coming to Illinois reaches a wide audience.

Photo: Bob Skorczewski, a coordinator of international and graduate recruitment in the SIUE Office of Admissions.