New Assistant Vice Provost for International Enrollment to bring new strategies to GEO
Contact: Nicol Tinsley
VCU Global Education Office
(804) 828-6463
nctinsley@vcu.edu
Richmond, VA (December 18, 2025) —The Global Education Office will welcome a new senior leader to its team on January 5, 2026. Adina Archer, Ed.S., has been appointed assistant vice provost for international enrollment (AVPIE), and in this role, will coordinate and execute the university’s global enrollment strategy, aligning recruitment, admissions, immigration, partnerships, and student success initiatives to support VCU’s broader internationalization goals. This new role will serve as a key institutional voice on international enrollment strategy, contributing to university-wide planning, compliance and global engagement efforts.
Jill Blondin, Ph.D., vice provost for global initiatives, is excited to welcome Archer, a respected and accomplished advocate for international education, to VCU.
“Adina Archer’s expertise is exactly what VCU needs to take our internationalization efforts to the next level,” she said. “She is knowledgeable and strategic, and understands all aspects of international student enrollment. We are fortunate to have her coordinating and driving our international enrollment initiatives.”
The AVPIE will provide visionary leadership to GEO’s International Enrollment team, which includes International Recruitment and Outreach, Global Partnerships, and Immigration Services. The AVPIE will also lead coordination efforts with VCU’s Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS), including the International Admissions team, to ensure a seamless and collaborative approach to international student enrollment and retention.
Archer is a longtime leader in international education and has an abundance of experience managing global operations. As the deputy director for EducationUSA Global Services, she oversaw the Regional Education Advising Coordinators (REACs) in the EducationUSA global network on behalf of the U.S. Department of State. Archer developed and implemented regional and global strategic planning in this important leadership role. Grounded in years of experience across international markets, enrollment management, and partnership building, she brings a strategic, relationship-driven approach to international enrollment management.
Archer’s expertise will provide support in international student enrollment efforts as she utilizes her experience with managing policy development and international strategic communications; advising on and managing strategic initiatives determined by the U.S. Department of State; and instituting process improvement initiatives aimed at making the global operations network more scalable, efficient, and standardized.
She is expected to bring to VCU new strategies for increasing international student enrollment, utilizing her vast experience in this area as she strives to support the university’s strategic internationalization goals.
“I’m excited to join VCU’s Global Education Office at a pivotal moment as the university advances Quest 2028,” said Archer. “VCU’s commitment to access, student success, and global engagement deeply resonates with me, and I’m thrilled to work alongside a talented and deeply committed team. I bring a collaborative, relationship-driven, and data-informed approach to growing and diversifying international enrollment in thoughtful, sustainable ways—strengthening global partnerships and expanding opportunity for students from around the world,” she said.
A few of the main contributions Archer will be making to the operations of GEO will include developing and implementing fiscally responsible, data-informed strategies for recruiting, admitting, enrolling, and retaining international students, ensuring alignment with VCU’s goals and compliance with federal and international regulations. In addition, she will lead the International Enrollment team by overseeing strategic planning, team development and execution of comprehensive recruitment and retention initiatives.
Another important aspect of her new position will be serving as a liaison between GEO and academic departments, as well as with VCU’s Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success (SEMSS), to align recruitment strategies and enrollment targets across the university. The addition of Archer is strongly anticipated by SEMSS leadership, and is expected to allow a greater collaboration between the two departments, as they work together to increase international enrollment and continue fostering international student success.
"The appointment of Adina Archer underscores the strong and intentional collaboration between SEMSS and the Global Education Office, aligning international enrollment strategy with student success and institutional priorities,” said Hernan Burcheli, Ed.D., vice president for strategic enrollment management and student success.
“This partnership strengthens VCU’s ability to recruit, enroll, and retain international students through coordinated, data-informed and student-centered approaches."
The Global Education office is excited to bring aboard this well accomplished leader who will provide leadership among its International Enrollment team, and work diligently to increase the university’s international student enrollment efforts.