Carl Joins OBU as Director of International Student Services and IEP

July 24, 2017

Oklahoma Baptist University recently welcomed Joy Carl as director of international student services and the intensive English program. She assumed her duties effective June 12.

In 2001, she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Christian education/youth and world missions from Cedarville University, located in Cedarville, Ohio. In May 2005, she completed a Master of Arts in TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) from Biola University, located in La Mirada, California.

Prior to coming to OBU, she served as the director of international studies/international program coordinator at Lenawee Christian School in Adrian, Michigan. During her four years there, she directed the school’s international program for high school and middle school age students. In that role, she built relationships with the students; led the host family program; oversaw the after-school tutoring program; was involved in international recruitment, admission and retention; and organized activities for the international students.

She also has experience as an ESL instructor, missionary, volunteer teacher, writing consultant, interim church secretary and an interim at the Hope Foster Home in China. In fact, she has taught English in Intensive English Programs at universities in the U.S., has taught English and the Bible in South Korea, and has worked in China with orphaned children.

“I went on my first mission trip after my junior year of high school,” she said. “God used the mission program of my home church in New Jersey and multiple mission trips overseas to develop my heart for missions and love for the world.”

Her primary objective as the director of international student services is to effectively serve OBU’s international students, missionary kids and third culture kids, and to aid them in having an amazing OBU experience. As the director of the IEP, her primary goal is to strengthen and grow the program into a place where many students want to come to OBU to increase their English proficiency

Carl’s passions are well suited for her new position.

“I have an international heart and a love for Christian higher education,” she said. “Serving at OBU allows me to pursue both of these passions as I have the opportunity to serve international students, missionary kids, and third culture kids, and to use the skills and experiences that God has given me. I’m excited about building relationships with the international students, missionary kids, and third culture kids at OBU, and working alongside incredible people across campus to effectively serve these students.”

“I think the key strength that I bring to this position is how much I love working with people from around the world, and my commitment to effectively support all of the students in our international program. I think my experience living overseas and adjusting to other cultures helps me to have sensitivity to students going through that transition in coming to the United States. The opportunities I’ve had to make friendships across the globe gives me the desire to help students from other countries to develop good friendships here. Another strength I bring to this position is that I have experience in both international student services and Intensive English Programs, so I can offer insights and experience for both sides of my position.”

Carl enjoys spending time with people, taking in the beauty of God’s creation especially at the beach, traveling to other countries, reading and using the gift of creativity.