CLS Program Staff

American Councils Staff

The CLS Program is a program of the U.S. Department of State and is supported in its implementation by American Councils for International Education, a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C. CLS Institutes are administered by partner institutions in each host location.

American Councils staff in Washington, D.C. are available to answer questions before, during, and after the CLS Program.

Program Officer

Each CLS Program site has a dedicated Program Officer, who is an employee of American Councils and is based in Washington, D.C. The Program Officer is the primary point of contact for finalists and participants in the months leading up to the start of the program and works to help participants prepare to go abroad. Over the summer, the Program Officer conducts weekly phone calls with the Resident Director to stay updated on the program and is also available to participants by phone and email.

Resident Director

Each CLS institute has a Resident Director (RD) on site for the duration of the program. The Resident Director is an employee of American Councils and is the primary overseas contact for participants during the program. The Resident Director manages many responsibilities, first and foremost supporting participants in adjusting to life in the host community. The RD is also responsible for reporting on the program site, communicating with host institution staff, and ensuring that participants follow CLS Program policies. If a participant has any questions or concerns related to health, housing, academics, or other topics while they are on site, they should contact their Resident Director. The Resident Director has a cell phone at all times and is ready to provide support during emergencies. The RD coordinates with host institute staff and American Councils staff in Washington, D.C. to resolve issues as they arise.

Institute Staff

Host institute staff are local employees of the overseas institution hosting CLS students. They are led by an Institute Director, who is also an employee of the host institution. The Institute Director and other local staff at each CLS Program site are responsible for planning and administering the CLS academic program and cultural activities during the summer. They are excellent resources for information about the culture in the host community, places of interest in the host city, and safety while abroad. Like the Resident Director, they are also ready to provide emergency assistance at any time. If a participant is unable to reach the Resident Director during an emergency, they should call the Institute Director or other local staff members. Contact information for the Institute Director and local staff is provided to participants by American Councils prior to international departure.