ABOUT US
The International Relations and Global Engagement office is here to help you find a global connection. You can learn more about us and find our contact information below.
Eric D. Leise
Director
Eric.Leise@BHSU.edu
Eric joined BHSU in July 2018 after having served in similar roles at University of Oregon and University of South Dakota. Eric has been active in international education and international mobility since beginning his undergraduate studies at Univ of Calif., Los Angeles, where he studied the politics of European immigration and integration. He carried this interest through to his graduate studies at Georgetown University and again at UCLA where he continued work in different capacities comparing immigration laws and policies. At BHSU, Eric enjoys working with staff and faculty to continue building upon internationalization strategies and bringing the world to the Black Hills of South Dakota. In his free time, Eric enjoys the outdoors, scratch cooking and baking, reading, spending time with family, and letting his dog Charlie take him for walks.
Kaitlin Palmer
International Admissions Coordinator
Kaitlin.Palmer@BHSU.edu
Kaitlin grew up in the Black Hills region with a natural love for the outdoors, a good cup of tea, and traveling as much as possible! After developing a taste for culture, food, and new experiences while traveling as a young child, she has enjoyed exploring the United States and various areas of the world to meet new people and enjoy the delicious food they create! Kaitlin's first international education experience brought her to Florence, Italy where she spent a semester in 2013 exploring the Tuscan hillsides by bicycle. She graduated as a University Honors Scholar with a Bachelors degree of Science in Psychology from Black Hills State University in 2014 and a Masters degree of Education in Administration of Student Affairs from South Dakota State University in 2019. In her free time, she loves cooking, camping, hiking, biking, kayaking, and skiing with her husband, but also enjoys staying at home with her two cats and two birds!
Alysha Weiler
International Programs Coordinator
Alysha.Weiler@BHSU.edu
Alysha joined the international team at Black Hills State University in August of 2014. She grew up in eastern South Dakota where she completed her undergraduate degree in Biology. After multiple visits to the Black Hills (western South Dakota), Alysha connected with the community and fell in love with the beauty of the region, and so moved to the Black Hills after completion of her undergraduate degree. She then continued on to receive her graduate degree in Integrative Genomics from BHSU, and began working with the international team as she was completing her graduate degree. Alysha loves traveling, learning about other cultures and languages, and meeting new people. She has had the opportunity to travel to different countries around the world, enjoying each opportunity. She is excited about continuing to learn from others, and also to help guide students as they adjust and complete their program in the United States. In her free time, Alysha enjoys hiking, snowshoeing, and exploring the unknown.
Courtney Piece
Academic English Program (AEP) Instructor
Courtney.Pierce@BHSU.edu
Courtney began her career as the AEP instructor after graduating from BHSU in 2016. She grew up in Rapid City but went to high school in Spearfish where she met her husband and eventually started her family. She had always known she wanted to be an English teacher, and when she was asked to teach English to international students, she knew she could not pass up such an incredible opportunity. Courtney loves learning about other cultures and people through her students and hopes to travel the world, visiting the countries her students have come from. When she is not teaching, Courtney can be found spending time with her husband, three children, and dog. She also enjoys baking and reading.