In support of the overall mission of the University of South Carolina Aiken and as an administrative component of the Student Life and Services Division, the Office of International Programs seeks to foster a warm, welcoming, and supportive environment for the diverse members of the campus community; to provide minority and international student support services and programs that assist with campus efforts to mirror the retention, graduation, and career placement rates of the larger student population; to work with various departments and committees of the university to provide programs and activities for the campus and local community that encourage an awareness and appreciation of cross-cultural perspectives; and to help equip members of the campus community with practical leadership and interpersonal skills to prepare them for living and working in an increasingly multicultural society.