Written by Colin McEvoy | October 17, 2025 | SHARE
Asenath Asha Lutabingwa, a veteran international education leader with nearly 30 years of experience in global engagement and immigration services, will guide Lehigh's efforts to support and empower its international community as Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars.
An experienced international education leader with nearly three decades of expertise in global engagement and immigration services has been named Lehigh University’s new Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars.
Asenath Asha Lutabingwa, who most recently served as Executive Director of International Faculty and Scholar Services at Rutgers University, now leads Lehigh’s Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS), effective October 13.
“Asenath brings a remarkable combination of strategic leadership, policy expertise, and deep commitment to the international community,” said Cheryl Matherly, Vice President & Vice Provost for International Affairs at Lehigh. “Her experience in guiding complex immigration systems and fostering cross-cultural understanding will be invaluable as Lehigh continues to strengthen its global engagement.”
Lutabingwa also brings a personal perspective to the position, having been an international student herself. Born in Kenya, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nairobi before completing a master’s in educational administration in 1994 at St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.
“I am honored to join Lehigh at such a pivotal moment for its international community,” Lutabingwa said.
“As Director of the Office of International Students and Scholars, I am committed to championing our international students, scholars, and staff, amplifying their voices and cultivating an inclusive environment where every individual feels seen, supported, and empowered to thrive,” she said. “Our international community embodies resilience, curiosity, and hope, reminding us that education truly transcends borders.”
OISS empowers Lehigh’s international community through holistic advising, immigration education, and cultural programming. Through its services and advocacy, OISS works to ensure that international voices are heard across the university and to build bridges between Lehigh and the world.
As Director of OISS, Lutabingwa will oversee all aspects of Lehigh’s international student and scholar services, including immigration advising, visa sponsorship, regulatory compliance, and advocacy. She will lead a team dedicated to ensuring that Lehigh remains both compliant with federal requirements and responsive to the needs of its global community.
“Asenath’s leadership comes at an important time, as Lehigh continues to welcome a growing number of international students and scholars amid an increasingly complex immigration landscape,” Matherly said. “She will play a key role in shaping the university’s strategy to support global talent and foster a welcoming environment for the international community.”
During her tenure at Rutgers University, Lutabingwa provided strategic leadership and guided institutional compliance with complex federal immigration regulations. She collaborated with senior academic and administrative leaders to support more than 1,400 international faculty and scholars.
Prior to Rutgers, she led international programs and advising offices at The Juilliard School and the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, building extensive experience in F-1 and J-1 visa programs, employment-based petitions, and federal compliance.
She has been an active leader in NAFSA: Association of International Educators, serving in multiple volunteer and training capacities. Asenath is also the founder of a nonprofit in Kenya that empowers rural Kenya’s women and girls economically through impactful programs.
She is a recipient of U.S. Department of State funding to implement programs that strengthen communities’ resilience, including mentorship and development initiatives supporting women and girls in Kenya. Asenath has also been the international development adviser to Rutgers’ Engineers Without Borders for eight years.
“Her work has consistently combined executive and strategic leadership, deep expertise in immigration policy and compliance, and a proven ability to strengthen cross-cultural understanding on campus,” Matherly said.
Lutabingwa succeeds Amanda Connolly, who was Director of International Students and Scholars for four years before departing in June to become Executive Director of International Affairs at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee.
Matherly expressed appreciation to S. Nichole Hunley, Associate Director for International Students and Scholars, who had served as Acting Director of OISS since Connolly’s departure. “Her leadership over the past months has ensured stability and strong support for our international community during this transition,” Matherly said.