Alabama State University News August 13, 2013 Growing International Student Enrollment Enhances ASU's Global Footprint By Tina Joly Karabo Robaya was bursting with excitement as he talked to fellow students outside of ASU's John Garrick Hardy Student Center. Robaya had just flown to the U.S. from South Africa, and this was his first time away from home and on ASU's campus. He joins a growing list of international students enrolled in Alabama State University. He said he chose to attend ASU, in part, because of its rich history. "The way ASU was presented was more attractive to me than other universities in America; I was impressed by a video we saw of campus and the University has a rich history," Robaya said. "I am staying in the Martin Luther King dorm ... I am walking in a place where Martin Luther King walked." Ruth Ofua is a 22-year-old native of Nigeria who has enrolled at ASU. Like Robaya, she has never been to the United States. "I really wanted to attend an HBCU, and ASU has great facilities and great academic programs. I'm really excited to be here. I didn't know what to expect, but everyone is very loving, caring and friendly," Ofua said. Ofua is one of 37 Nigerian students who arrived in Montgomery on Saturday, August 10. They are able to attend the University because of a new partnership between ASU and the Nigerian government. Cherise Peters, associate provost and vice president of Enrollment Management, said ASU's growing international enrollment enhances the University's global position.The Nigerian government is sponsoring the students and paying their tuition, fees, books and room and board. "ASU has gained worldwide recognition, and we are expanding. We are bringing in the best and brightest from around the world. Diversity isn't just about color; it's about where you come from regionally and internationally," Peters said. ASU's new international students beginning classes this fall are coming from Cameroon, Ghana, India, Turkey, Malawi, Trinidad, St. Lucia, Spain, Haiti, The Gambia, Canada, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Brazil, United Kingdom, Nepal, Venezuela, Kenya, Serbia, New Zealand, France, China, South Africa, Jamaica, Australia, Serbia and Philippines. SANDRA M. PHOENIX Executive Director HBCU Library Alliance sphoenix@hbculibraries.org<mailto:sphoenix@hbculibraries.org> www.hbculibraries.org<http://www.hbculibraries.org/> 800-999-8558, ext. 4820 404-702-5854 Skype: sandra.phoenix1 1438 West Peachtree NW Suite 200 Atlanta,GA 30309 Toll Free: 1.800.999.8558 (LYRASIS) Fax: 404.892.7879 www.lyrasis.org<http://www.lyrasis.org/> Honor the ancestors, honor the children.