In 2002, Lower Columbia College became a certified institution of the Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), eligible to enroll international students (student visa holders). James McLaughlin, President of Lower Columbia College (LCC), supported the new initiative, and navigated the early days of recruiting from global audiences. For the next ten years, the Vice President for Student Services served as the Principal Designated School Official, overseeing international student success.
In 2011, Chris Bailey was appointed as the LCC President. President Bailey had prior experience teaching international students and was impressed by their dedication to their education and impact on the local community. While LCC had the ability to enroll international students (student visa holders), LCC did not yet have an International Programs Office to provide dedicated services to visa holders and global education programming for all LCC students.
"Longview is a port city, with economic ties to global trading partners. Having a dedicated unit for international programs at LCC could expand the worldview of all our students and equip them for their next academic and professional step in a global workforce. "
– Chris Bailey
In 2012, the International Programs Office was created and the first Director of International Programs was appointed. Tasked with growing international student enrollment, the International Programs Office turned towards our partnership with our sister city commission. The Longview Sister City Commission has a long-standing relationship with the city of Wako in Japan. The office refined how to describe what is a community college, and what is the meaning of the name “lower” columbia.
In 2014, Longview’s sister city Wako introduced Atomi University to LCC. Atomi University and LCC committed to expand cultural opportunities and signed a
memorandum of understanding. A year later we introduced the inaugural short-term,
immersion program known as “English & American Culture Program”. This program offers
a cohort of approximately 10 students from Atomi University to visit Longview, Washington,
for two-three weeks every year, learning English communication skills, special lectures,
visiting local businesses, and staying with host families. This program continues
today. 2026 was the 11th year and 13th cohort. Since 2015, LCC has welcomed 129 Atomi
University short-term students.
In 2019, after years of increased international enrollment, LCC international student population was diversified with up to 14 different countries. LCC became a host institution for J-1exchange programs including Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals (CBYX) from the U.S. Department of State and Year of Exchange in America for Russians (YEAR) from the Eurasia Foundation.
2019 was also the start of the International Club, a student organization, welcome
to all students on campus. This club brings students together through activities,
events, and encourages greater curiosity and understanding of people and countries
around the world. International Club is one of many clubs, organizations, and activities
on campus in which – outside the classroom environment – international and local students
connect socially.
In 2022, the first Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) course was offered to students in the Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership and Technical Management. Taught by Dana Cummings, faculty of the Accounting and Business, LCC students collaborated on a group project with students from a university in Mexico. As of 2026, over 130 LCC students have participated in a COIL course with student peers in Mexico, Morocco, and the United Arab Emirates.
"The COIL experience is an incredible experience for both the students and the faculty. Besides improving our cross-cultural communication and providing the opportunity to learn about people groups around the world, COIL exposes us to the need to consistently reflect on biases, assumptions, and expectations, allowing us to grow. "
– Dana Cummings
In 2023, LCC students began studying abroad (outside the U.S.) through the Washington
State Community College Consortium for Study Abroad. While LCC became a WCCCSA member in 2019, student travel was paused due to the global
pandemic of COVD-19. In the fall of 2023, LCC’s earth sciences faculty, Morgan Salisbury,
led the quarter-length program to Chile. Between 2023 and 2025,14 LCC students studied
abroad in Chile, Costa Rica, France, Ireland, Italy, South Korea and Spain.
"Study abroad is a once in a lifetime experience for professors as well as their students. There is something about immersing yourself in a new culture that really enhances learning and changes our perspective on how we see the world."
– Morgan Salisbury