WORLD Staff Directory

How to Contact Us

WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning is open Monday through Friday between 8:00 A.M and 4:30 P.M. and is located on Bert Fish Drive, in the row of houses across from the pool and Rinker parking lot.

Individual contact information should be only used for administrative purposes. If you are a prospective international, study abroad or exchange student, please contact the World Staff. Otherwise, please direct your inquiry to one of the following email addresses, depending on your needs:

Paula Hentz

Senior International Officer & Director of Global Initiatives
Phone: 386-822-7012 | Email: [email protected] | Set up a meeting with Paula

As the director, Paula serves as senior international officer for the DeLand campus and principal advisor on comprehensive campus internationalization. She provides leadership of WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning and campus internationalization initiatives. She facilitates strategic global partnerships and provides administrative oversight of the international student exchange and study abroad programs, international faculty exchange and faculty development, and the international learning scholarship program.

Paula is originally from Wisconsin and earned her bachelor's degree in African American studies and history from the University of Wisconsin- Madison, and her master's degree in counseling and personnel services (focusing on college student personnel) from the University of Maryland- College Park. During her time at UW-Madison, she spent an academic year studying abroad at the University of Warwick in England, and following her graduation, spent a year teaching English in South Korea.

Melanie Smith

Assistant Director of International Learning Programs
Phone: 386-822-8166 | Email: [email protected] | Set up a meeting with Melanie

Melanie works directly with faculty and students to enhance the study abroad experience for both parties. In her role for WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning and campus internationalization initiatives, she assists with virtual, course inclusion and international programs to ensure academic rigor is met and measured.

Melanie has not only been in the international education field for almost a decade, she too was an exchange student in her undergraduate program at Webster University in Leiden, Holland. Her passion for studying abroad stems from her own experience and the need for equity in all higher education opportunities.

Tristan Laner

International Student and Scholar Services Coordinator
Phone: 386-822-7188 | Email: [email protected] | Set up a meeting with Tristan Laner

Tristan works directly with F-1 international students, serving as an advisor during their studies at Stetson University. He assists in coordination and logistics related to international students at WORLD: The David and Leighan Rinker Center for International Learning. Tristan is originally from Colorado, and he was also a study abroad student at Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz, Germany.

Tristan has previously served in international education as a study abroad coordinator, as well as working closely with admissions to assist international students in their transition into the university. He will continue to serve as the International Student and Scholar Services Coordinator, where he will focus on advising new and continuing international students while also helping them get accustomed to the United States.

Liz Lew

Administrative Assistant
Phone: 386-822-7412 | Email: [email protected] | Set up a meeting with Liz

Liz provides administrative support to the WORLD Center. Since 1994, Liz has been in higher education fundraising and alumni relations. In 2022, she changed course and started working with international students. She has her undergraduate degree from Florida International University and an MBA from Boston College.