Experience

St. Cloud State University

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Associate Director of International Student and Scholar Services, PDSO/RO

  • Aug 2011 - Present

  Feb 2016 – Present (2 yrs 4 mos)Primary Responsibilities:• Primary responsibility for all aspects of counseling and on-site support for international students, scholars and their dependents. Serve as the primary coordinator and host advisor for government sponsored students, institutional exchange students, and as the university administrative official for the Fulbright program for SCSU for government sponsored scholars coming to the campus. • Responsible for overall maintenance and compliance of our institution with federal immigration guidelines and policies affecting our international students and scholars. Serve as a liaison between international students and scholars, SCSU, and various State and Federal government agencies such as USCIS, USICE, USCBP, SEVP, etc.• Serve as the main contact for all regulations, procedures, and policies pertaining to F-1 and J-1 visa holders. • Supervision of full-time professional staff and graduate assistants - weekly meetings, delegation of duties, supervision of programs and projects, and maintaining morale.• Assist with internationalization initiatives on campus and assist with such grant proposals related to these initiatives. Collaborate with administration, faculty and staff colleagues across campus to provide advocacy, policy, and programmatic improvements for international students and scholars at SCSU. This includes participating on a variety of campus academic & student life committees.• Assist with improving, training, & managing overall office flow and functioning in CIS to meet the needs of our students; planning special projects; and taking on new initiatives as needed.• Serve as the university’s main liaison for the international student health insurance policy. • Provide orientation and documentation check-in for all incoming short–term programming groups, incoming Intensive English Center students, and incoming J-1 scholars.

• Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services, DSO/ARO

  • Jun 2014 - Feb 2016

  Primary Responsibilities:• Serve as the primary advisor for F-1 and J-1 international students and dependents on federal, state, and university regulations.• Primary coordinator and advisor for sponsored students and exchange students and dependents on federal, state, and university regulations.• Main point of contact for the J-1 exchange visiting scholar program. • Assist with other international student and scholar programming and events such as the New International Student Orientation, graduation receptions, International Education Week, etc. • Maintain current knowledge of regulations, procedures, and policies pertaining to F-1 and J-1 visa holders. • Research, create, and update all F-1 and J-1 policies, procedures, and forms to reflect federal regulation and immigration policy changes. (This may also include development of promotional resources and materials).• Maintain and update the “Current Students and Visiting Scholars” website.• Maintain and update the “International Student and Scholar procedural manual”.• Assist in planning and conducting international student and scholar focused workshops and sessions such as Optional Practical Training Information Sessions. • Liaison for the international student health insurance policy. • University administrative official for the Fulbright program for SCSU for international Fulbright scholars coming to the campus. • Provide orientation and documentation check-in for all incoming short–term programming groups, incoming Intensive English Center students, and incoming J-1 scholars.

• International Student Advisor, DSO/ARO

  • Aug 2012 - Jun 2014

  Primary Responsibilities:• Ensure compliance with government reporting requirements and maintain accurate, timely, and complete student records.• Advise F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors on maintenance of status and related immigration, federal and institutional procedures regulations, travel and visa acquisition, employment and other related matters for the duration of the F-1 and J-1 program period, from pre-arrival through post-completion-activities (i.e. program extensions, concurrent enrollment, reduced course loads, curricular practical training, optional practical training, academic training, leave of absences, transfer out procedures, and reinstatement).• Maintain current knowledge of regulations, procedures and policies pertaining to F-1 and J-1 visa holders. • Work closely with other International Student and Scholar Services staff to coordinate various cultural programs for international and domestic students to gain cultural exchanges.• Collaborate with colleagues across campus to provide services and advocacy for international students and scholars.• Serve as the point-person for the J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholars program.

• Interim Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services, DSO/ARO

  • Oct 2011 - Jul 2012

  Primary Responsibilities:• Serve as an institutional immigration official for both the F-1 Student Program, a Designated School Official (DSO), and the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, an Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO), as designated by the United States Departments of Homeland Security (and all of its branches) and State.• Advise F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors on maintenance of status and related immigration, federal and institutional procedures regulations, travel and visa acquisition, employment and other related matters for the duration of the F-1 and J-1 program period, from pre-arrival through post-completion-activities (i.e. program extensions, concurrent enrollment, reduced course loads, curricular practical training, optional practical training, academic training, leave of absences, transfer out procedures, and reinstatement).• Serve as the point-person for the J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholars program.• Collaborate across campus in developing or revising programs and resources to provide stronger advocacy and support for international students & scholars at SCSU.• Communicate with departments regarding procedures and policies affecting international students, including employment and academic issues. Present informational sessions regarding cultural issues as needed.• Assist with improving, training, & managing overall office flow and functioning, special projects, assessment, online initiatives, policies, and other new initiatives.• Supervise a part-time student worker.• Plan and coordinate the international orientation program twice per academic year for new/incoming international students, as well as supervise the International Peer Advisors and Coordinators each semester.

• International Student Advisor, DSO/ARO

  • Aug 2011 - Oct 2011

  Primary Responsibilities:• Advised F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors on maintenance of status and related immigration, federal and institutional procedures regulations, travel and visa acquisition, employment and other related matters for the duration of the F-1 and J-1 program period, from pre-arrival through post-completion-activities (i.e. program extensions, concurrent enrollment, reduced course loads, curricular practical training, optional practical training, academic training, leave of absences, transfer out procedures, and reinstatement).• Maintained current knowledge of regulations, procedures and policies pertaining to F-1 and J-1 visa holders. • Worked closely with other International Student and Scholar Services staff to coordinate various cultural programs for international and domestic students to gain cultural exchanges.• Collaborated with colleagues across campus to provide services and advocacy for international students and scholars.• Served as the liaison for health insurance refunds and process improvements as needed.



University of Tampa

• United States
• Higher Education
• 700 & Above Employee

• Senior International Student and Scholar Advisor, PDSO/RO

  • Jun 2011 - Aug 2011

  Primary Responsibilities:• Continued with all responsibilities of International Student Services Advisor position.• Served as the primary institutional immigration official for both the F-1 Student Program, the Primary Designated School Official (PDSO), and the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, the Responsible Officer (RO), as designated by the United States Departments of Homeland Security (and all of its branches) and State.• Oversaw all aspects of the F-1 and J-1 visa programs, ensuring both were compliant with US federal immigration regulations. • Prepared annual and requested statistical reports for relevant University departments, USCIS, Department of State and other related individuals and entities. • Responded to routine federal and internal requests for information and federal and internal audits, as necessary. • Liaised with internal departments and offices and assisted in negotiating solutions between institutional policies and procedures and federal immigration regulations.• Continuously sought updates on changing federal immigration regulations and procedures, and assisted in implementing internal policies in response and communicated these policies.

• International Student Services Advisor, DSO

  • Jun 2009 - Jun 2011

  Primary Responsibilities:• Serve as the PDSO and RO to ensure compliance with rules and regulations as they pertain to our F-1 student and J-1 exchange visitor populations.• Advise prospective and current F-1 students and J-1 exchange visitors on maintenance of status and related immigration, federal and institutional procedures regulations, travel and visa acquisition, employment and other related matters for the duration of the F-1 and J-1 program period, from pre-arrival through post-completion-activities. • Design and deliver high-quality, informative presentations regarding current immigration regulations and procedures and regularly inform on changes to immigration policy. • Oversee maintenance, upgrades and troubleshooting for fsaAtlas data management system.• Routinely maintain and develop university website, Blackboard, and student portal information.• Provide support and leadership for student-related initiatives. Advise on academic support resources, academic issues, personal and family adjustment, and cultural adjustment.• Monitor and coordinate international student exchange programs.• Serve on university committees to advocate on behalf of international education and provide support for the institutional goals for internationalizing the campus.

• Education Abroad Advisor

  • Aug 2008 - Jun 2009

  Primary Responsibilities:• Advised both domestic and international students on issues related to academics, pre-requisites, transfer credits, medical insurance and cultural adjustment.• Developed and ran education abroad fairs, information sessions and pre-departure sessions, as well as attended university events and made presentations on-campus.• Administered university run programs and tuition exchange programs.• Responsible for developing travel course procedures; maintaining student records; communicating with administrative and academic departments across campus; interacting with domestic and foreign contacts.



Salk Middle School

• English as a Second Language Assistant

  • Mar 2008 - Jun 2008

  • Advised and supported non-native English language students' academic language development by assisting them with in-class assignments, homework, tutoring and test taking. • Collaborated with school staff concerning the development and implementation of instructional strategies for non-native English language students to attain higher academic achievement.• Located resources to help in the classroom presentation and use of academic instructional materials to ensure a better understanding for the non-native English language students.• Learned and understood about students' specific non-native English language needs and cultural needs in order to help them to adjust and acclimate to an English speaking environment in the United States.• Taught students the required curricula using strategies that fostered thinking, reasoning and problem solving.



English Your Way

• Coordinator/Instructor of English as a Second Language

  • Mar 2003 - Aug 2004

  • Designed curriculum and taught private English classes to non-native English speakers of internationally recognized companies based on the learners’ specific needs. • Developed educational program and materials. • Monitored learner progress. • Designed curriculum and taught private English classes to non-native English speakers of internationally recognized companies based on the learners’ specific needs. • Developed educational program and materials. • Monitored learner progress.



Oxbridge Customized Courses, Jundiai, Brazil

• Instructor of English as a Second Language

  • Mar 2003 - Aug 2004

  • Prepared and taught non-native English speakers grammar and technique through writing, speaking, listening and reading based on a methodology installed by the school. • Prepared students for college/job placement exams, TOEFL and other ESL tests. • Prepared and taught non-native English speakers grammar and technique through writing, speaking, listening and reading based on a methodology installed by the school. • Prepared students for college/job placement exams, TOEFL and other ESL tests.



Wexford Financial, Inc.

• Real Estate
• 1 - 100 Employee

• Administrative Assistant/Loan Processor

  • Sep 2001 - Mar 2003

  • Assisted and supported a variety of business professionals (building management and mortgage brokers). • Organized and submitted client files to loan processing and underwriting as well as compiled and scheduled closings. • Assisted and supported a variety of business professionals (building management and mortgage brokers). • Organized and submitted client files to loan processing and underwriting as well as compiled and scheduled closings.



Fairview Health Services

• United States
• Hospitals and Health Care
• 700 & Above Employee

• Clinic Service Coordinator

  • Sep 1997 - May 2001

  • Operated both telephone and appointment management functions. • Used customer service skills and promoted patient-centered care to meet the needs of the patients. • Provided information, scheduled appointments, collected co-pays and health information. • Arranged any accommodation or interpreter services needed for the patient visit. • Operated both telephone and appointment management functions. • Used customer service skills and promoted patient-centered care to meet the needs of the patients. • Provided information, scheduled appointments, collected co-pays and health information. • Arranged any accommodation or interpreter services needed for the patient visit.