TYNGSBOROUGH, Mass. – The Academy of Notre Dame announce that LiHsi Chen, of Nashua, accepted the position of international student services manager.

Chen has extensive experience in international marketing and has worked part-time as a consultant for the international program at the academy for several years. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Business Administration from Rivier University.

Chen’s daughters, Sara and Emily, attended the academy and are graduates of MIT. Chen has been a parent volunteer for MIT’s Parents Association and Admissions for the last seven years, has served as volunteer chairwoman of the MIT Parents Association and founded the MIT Parents Facebook group. She also was a member of the academy’s Parents’ Club from 1995-2004.

NDA’s international program offers students from around the world the opportunity to immerse themselves in American culture. Students are billeted with host families from around the region. This fall, the academy expected 21 students in the program, a 50 percent increase from the previous year.

“The interest in our international program has really exploded over the last few years,” said Jocelyn Mendonsa, of Nashua, vice president of admissions and marketing. “Mrs. Chen has played a big role in helping get the word out about this program. She brings a tremendous amount of experience and enthusiasm and is the perfect fit for this newly created position.”

Chen helps students with the transition to this country, including planning outings and activities.

“The part the students appreciate the most is that she is their ‘academy mother,’?” Mendonsa said. “Mrs. Chen treats all our international students like her own. She is there to ensure that all of their future endeavors are met, and only wants the best for them.”

For more information about the international program or becoming a host family, call 1-978-649-7611 or visit www.ndatyngsboro.org.