Government Regulations Advisory Committee (GRAC)

The Region XI Government Regulations Advisory Committee (GRAC) is a sub-committee of the NAFSA Region XI Team that specializes in U.S. government laws, rules, and regulations (at the federal, state, and local level) as they pertain to international students and scholars enrolled, employed, or visiting educational institutions in the six New England states. GRAC works closely with the Regulatory Ombudspersons, the Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KCISSS) Representative, and the Region XI Chair stream, who are all ex-officio members of the committee. Each GRAC member has specific expertise area(s) below and is available for questions you may have. Should you wish to contact GRAC members, the contact information is available through the NAFSA Membership Directory or via the GRAC members’ institutional website.

Members Position Institution Contact Information Specialization*
Elke BREKER Member Director, Office of International Student & Scholar Services, Brown University Contact Elke Breker F / J stu / J sch / H / TN / O
Elizabeth CAPUANO Member Advisor to International Students and Scholars, Harvard University Contact Elizabeth Capuano F / J stu / J sch / H / TN / O
Amanda DORAN Member Advisor to International Scholars, International Scholars Office, Massachusetts Institute of Technology Contact Amanda Doran J sch / H / TN / O / LPR
Shannon GERBER Past SIW Chair 2021

Associate Director, International Students & Scholars Office, Boston University

 Contact Shannon Gerber F
Elizabeth A. GOSS, Esq. GRAC Past Chair (2021-2022) Founder, Goss Associates LLC Contact Elizabeth Goss H / TN / O / LPR / I-9s / Workforce Compliance / DACA
Jodi HANELT GRAC Chair Elect (2022-2023) Director, International Students and Scholars Office, Brandeis University Contact Jodi Hanelt F / J stu / J sch / H / TN
Sal MAZZONE Member Executive Director, International Students and Scholars Office, University Of Massachusetts Lowell Contact Sal Mazzone F / J stu / J int / J sch
Anthony PAWELSKI Member International Advisor, Partners Office for International Professionals and Students (PIPS), Partners HealthCare Contact Anthony Pawelski J sch / H / TN / O / LPR / MED
M. Andrea POPA GRAC Chair Elect (2020-2021) Director, International Student Affairs, Emerson College Contact Andrea Popa

F / J stu / J sch / TN / H / I-9s
Ken READE Member Director, International Student and Scholar Services, UMASS Amherst Contact Ken Reade F / J stu / J sch/Advocacy
Kate SACCO Member Director, Office of International Student Services, Rhode Island School of Design Contact Kate Sacco F / J stu
Susan SHEA Secretary Associate Director, Office of International Students and Scholars, Boston College Contact Susan Shea F / J stu / J int / J sch
Andrew SHIOTANI Member Director, Tufts International Center Contact Andrew Shiotani F / J stu / J sch / H / TN
Caitlin SZYMKOWICZ Member Associate Dean, Office for International Students and Scholars, Smith College Contact Caitlin Szymkowicz F / J stu /J sch
Emma SWIFT SIW Chair 2022 Associate Director, Office of International Education Contact Emma Swift F / J stu /J sch
Specialists Position Institution Contact Information Specialization*
Jennifer O'CONNOR K-12 Specialist Director, International Student Programs, Lawrence Academy Contact Jennifer O'Connor K-12 / F
Ex-Officio Members Position Institution Contact Information Specialization*
Hanna BLISS Regulatory Ombudsperson - Student Issues (2020-2022) Director of International Student Engagement, Amherst College Contact Hanna Bliss F / J stu
Susannah MARCUCCI Knowledge Community Representative ISSS (2022-2024) Director, Clark University
International Sudents and Scholars Office		 Contact Susannah Marcucci F / J stu / J sch / Taxes

Specialization*

F: F Students and Dependents
J int: J Student Interns
LPR: Lawful Permanent Residents
TN: TN Status Under NAFTA
J stu: J Students and Dependents
H: H-1B Scholars/Employees and Dependents
MED: Medical Scholars and Dependents
J sch: J Scholars and Dependents
K-12: Kindergarten-12th Grade
O: O-1 Scholars and Dependents