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* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizabeth CAPUANO | Chair | Advisor to International Students and Scholars, Harvard University | Contact Elizabeth Capuano | F / J stu / J sch / H / TN / O |
| Max CRUMLEY-EFFINGER | Member | Assistant Director, International Student Affairs, Emerson College | Contact Max Crumley-Effinger | F |
| Amanda DORAN | Past Chair (2023-2024) | Assistant Director, International Scholars, International Scholars Office, Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Contact Amanda Doran | J sch / H / TN / O / LPR |
| Kaitlin DORNENBURG | Member | HR Specialist, UConn Health | Contact Kaitlin Dornenburg | F / J stu / J sch / H / TN / I-9s |
| Arthur GALINAT | Member, SIW Chair 2023 | Director, International Student and Scholar Services, UConn | Contact Arthur Galinat | F / J stu / J sch / Taxes |
| Emma HUSE | Member | International Scholar and Employee Program Manager, University of Vermont | Contact Emma Huse | J sch / H / TN / O / LPR / MED |
| Jodi HANELT | Member, Past Chair (2022-2023), SIW Co-Chair | Executive Director, International Students and Scholars Office, Brandeis University | Contact Jodi Hanelt | F / J stu / J sch / H / TN |
| Jessa KARKI | Member, SIW Past Chair | Director, Office of International Student Services, Champlain College | Contact Jessa Karki | F / J stu / J sch / Taxes |
| Kathy KAUTZ DE ARANGO | Member | Executive Director of University Immigration Services, University of New Haven | Contact Kathy Kautz De Arango | F / J stu |
| Maria JENKINS | Member | Director of International Student Services, Boston Architectural College | Contact Maria Jenkins | F |
| Sonja PAULSON | Member, Secretary | Assistant Director, International Student Services, OISSS Brown University | Contact Sonja Paulson | F / J stu |
| Katey PALUMBO | Member | Director of International Programs and SIO, Worcester State University | Contact Katey Palumbo | F / J stu / J sch / ESL Programs |
| Liz SAUMSIEGLE | Member, SIW Co-Chair | Director, International Student & Scholar Services, Babson College | Contact Liz Saumsiegle | F / J stu |
| Maggie SHIRLAND | Member | International Student Advisor, Massachusetts College of Art and Design | Contact Maggie Shirland | F / J stu |
| Caitlin SZYMKOWICZ | Member, Chair Elect 2024-2025 | Associate Dean, Office for International Students and Scholars, Smith College | Contact Caitlin Szymkowicz | F / J stu / J sch |
| Mary WALSH | Member | Partner, Iandoli Desai & Cronin, P.C. | Contact Mary Walsh | All NIV / O-1 / PERM / EB-1 / NIW / I-9s / Entrepreneurs |
| Specialists | Position | Institution | Contact Information | Specialization* |
| Anthony PAWELSKI | Medical Specialist | Senior International Advisor, Office for Global Professionals and Scholars (GPS), Mass General Brigham | Contact Anthony Pawelski | J sch / H / TN / O / LPR / MED |
| Erin GUSTAFSON | Specialist | Senior Adviser, Office of International Students & Scholars, Yale University | Contact Erin Gustafson | F / J stu / J sch / H / Advocacy |
| Ex-Officio Members | Institution | Contact Information | Specialization* | |
| Katie AHLMAN | Scholar Regbud | International Student and Scholar Advisor, International Programs Office, Umass Amherst | Contact Katie Ahlman | F / J stu / J sch |
| Luca LIPPARINI | Student Regbud | Senior Adviser, Office of International Students & Scholars, Yale University | Contact Luca Lipparini | F / J stu |
| Christian WILWOHL | Region XI Chair | Dean of Global Education, Providence College | Contact Christian Wilwohl | |
| Adrea PAPADOPOULOS | Knowledge Community Representative ISSS (2025-2027) | Associate Director, International Students and Scholars Office, Brandeis University | Contact Adrea Papadopoulos | F / J stu / J sch |
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