Staff Spotlight: Lowell West

Lowell West is a programs budget specialist in the Study Abroad Office (SAO), a unit within the Office of Global Engagement. In her role, West’s primary responsibility is to advise faculty directors and the office’s regional advisors on study abroad program budgets. 

She coordinates the hiring process for new faculty and program assistants as related to the faculty-led programs using working knowledge of federal and university policies. As the programs budget specialist, West is also responsible for maintaining accurate financial records on program expenses and processing travel advances, as well as overseeing the reconciliation of program expenses.   

What made you choose this field of work as a career?

I had done some accounting work in prior jobs, but once I started working at NC State, I enjoyed the university setting and the opportunity to be challenged and learn new things.  

What do you like most about working in the Study Abroad Office?

The people that I work with, and the ability to think outside of the box and not be pigeon-holed by a job that is mainly processing by nature. 

How would you describe your job to someone who is interested in your field of work?

Although I do quite a bit of financial processing and working with spreadsheets in my job, there is also a fair amount of problem solving and collaboration involved in all of the program processes. 

Learn more about the Study Abroad Office.