Melissa Ochal Named Director of Center for International Education

Melissa Ochal has been named the new director of the College of Charleston Center for International Education (CIE), effective Oct. 16, 2021.

Melissa Ochal, director of the College of Charleston Center for International Education

Having served as CIE associate director since March 2013, Ochal is the S.C. state representative for the South Carolina Association of International Educators Board and a member of the NAFSA: Association of International Educators Region VII team.

Before coming to the College, she served as the director of the International Office at Ohio Dominican University for nearly seven years, overseeing both education abroad programs and international student support, and as the coordinator of international students at Ohio State University before that. Ochal earned her M.A. in higher education and student affairs from Ohio State and her undergraduate degree in psychology from Boston College.

As CIE’s director, Ochal will provide vision and leadership in the development, implementation and management of all international programs and services as the College looks forward to returning our faculty-led study abroad programs in the spring.