Staff - Office of International Programs

Lori Thompson, Director of the Office of International Programs

Ms. Thompson joined the Office of International Programs in 2000.  Prior to her current position, she was Associate Director for International Partnerships, overseeing SUNY’s partnerships with Turkish universities while working to develop relationships in other parts of the world.  In 2004, she founded the SUNY Office in Ankara, Turkey, where she remained as director until returning to Albany in 2008.  She established the office’s service-oriented mission in support of the system-wide dual diploma programs and fostered strong relationships with new Turkish university partners, the Turkish Higher Education Council, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate and various Turkish government offices.  Ms. Thompson is the author of two articles published by the Institute of International Education (IIE) on the development of SUNY’s system-wide relationships and programs in Turkey.  While living abroad, she developed Turkish language skills and traveled extensively throughout Turkey.  She also made official visits to universities in Azerbaijan and Greece.  She maintains close ties with Turkey and is a member of the American Turkish Society.

Prior to her work in and related to Turkey, Ms. Thompson coordinated and provided support for programs under SUNY’s Center for Russia and the United States, located at the Office of International Programs.   She received a bachelor’s degree in English writing from St. Lawrence University in Canton, New York.    

        Phone: 518-320-1255
        Email: lori.thompson@suny.edu

Claudia Hernandez, Program Officer for Latin America and Financial Manager

Claudia Hernandez began working for the Office of International Programs in August 2004 as a graduate student assistant. She is currently OIP's Program Officer for Latin America and Financial Manager.

Ms. Hernandez came to OIP after having obtained her second bachelor's degree, this one in International Relations with a concentration in Latin America, from SUNY New Paltz. She began her time at New Paltz by studying English as a Second Language and went on, not only to earn her degree, but also to earn a spot on the Dean's List as well as membership in Pi Sigma Alpha, the National Political Science Honor Society. She also worked in the campus' Office of International Programs.

Claudia Hernandez came to the United States from her native Colombia in August 2002 after having enjoyed a successful career there as a lawyer. In addition to completing her studies at law school, she studied Finance at the graduate level. Combining these areas of expertise, she worked for more than eight years in Colombia, first in the legal department of the country's largest national bank, and then as a project manager in charge of trusts for an international bank and trust.

        Phone: 518-320-1312
        Email: claudia.hernandez@suny.edu

In December 2004, Linda Veraska joined SUNY's Office of International Programs as Program Officer for Turkey. In the winter of 2006, she also had the opportunity to live in Ankara, Turkey, working in SUNY's office there.

However, Ms. Veraska's association with SUNY goes back to her days as an undergraduate student. She holds a B.A. in French from SUNY Geneseo. While enrolled at Geneseo, she spent her junior year abroad studying for the academic year at the Sorbonne in Paris, France. Having completed her studies, she stayed on and traveled throughout Europe. Upon graduating from Geneseo and hoping to use her degree in French, she moved to New Orleans where she held a variety of jobs for several years.

Eventually Linda returned to New York and decided to pursue a master's degree in information systems from Marist College; Ms. Veraska continued to work in the computer field, first as a systems analyst and then as a technical support specialist, a position in which she continued for the next six years before joining SUNY.

       Phone: 518-320-1656
       Email: linda.veraska@suny.edu

Beverly Plowucha, International Student and Scholar Services Manager

Beverly Plowucha joined the Office of International Programs in July 2011 as the International Student and Scholar Services Manager.

Ms. Plowucha has over 10 years of experience in International Education including 8 years at SUNY Broome Community College in both International Student Services and International Admissions. Prior to that, she worked as a therapist in a variety of settings after graduating with her Masters in Counseling from Towson University in Maryland. She also has her Bachelor’s degrees in Spanish and Psychology from Trinity College of Vermont.

Beverly is also active in NAFSA: Association of International Educators, the leading professional association dedicated to international education. Most recently she has been elected to the three year Chair Stream of NAFSA Region X representing New York and New Jersey. She has also held several other positions on the regional team including Conference Planner and Two Year Institution Representative. She has presented on both the national and regional level. Ms. Plowucha is also a member of the NAFSA Trainer Corps, a group of NAFSA volunteer trainers who deliver NAFSA’s Core Education Program workshops.

       Phone: 518-320-1433 
       Email: beverly.plowucha@suny.edu

Sally Lampson, Administrative Staff Assistant

Sally Lampson joined the Office of International Programs in September 2005. Previously she was an assistant in the Office of the Chancellor for seven years, and served as assistant to the Executive Director for System Administration Services before that. She was also secretary to the Director for Graduate Studies in the Department of English at the University at Albany.

       Phone: 518-320-1325
       Email: sally.lampson@suny.edu

Ellen Barnum, Secretary

Ellen Barnum joined the Office of International Programs in September 2011. She was previously at Nylink (SUNY's member supported cooperative which served all segments of libraries in New York State and surrounding areas) until its operations ceased in May of 2011. 

Before coming to System Administration, she was a Keyboard Specialist in Undergraduate Admissions at the University at Albany. Prior to entering administrative public service, Ellen served 8 1/2 years in the U.S. Air Force as an air traffic controller. After separating from Air Force she attended Maria College and completed her A.A.S. in Office Management.

       Phone: 518-320-1448
       Email: ellen.barnum@suny.edu