• 8:30a.m. Registration
  • 9:15a.m.-10:30a.m. Session 1
  • 10:45a.m.-12:00p.m. Session 2
  • 12:00p.m.-1:30p.m. Lunch
  • 1:45p.m.-3:00p.m. Session 3
  • 3:00p.m.-3:15p.m. Poster Session
  • 3:15p.m.-3:30p.m. Raffle
  • 3:30p.m. Adjourn


Session 1: 9:15a.m.-10:30a.m.

Circling the Wagons-Bulletproof Strategies for Success in an Immigration Unfriendly Era

(Lafayette Room (ISSS)
The government has become increasingly restrictive in its interpretations of U.S. immigration law and has focused substantial effort on enforcement in the immigration arena. We will discuss the latest trends in immigration case adjudications and enforcement and provide practical tips for solving immigration law challenges faced by international educators today.
Presenter: Susan Wehrer, Seyfarth Shaw LLP

How To Use Technology to Increase Productivity of an International Student Office (Claeys Lounge (TLS, ISSS)
The presentation will cover the following topics:

  • Key elements to track in order to build an efficient Case Management System
  • What data to capture and how to build statistics to analyze current business processes, to design improvements, to increase office productivity and to provide better service to students
  • How to streamline correspondence with students, fellow advisors, staff, etc. with an emphasis on the use of templates, standardized letters, and automated e-mails
  • How to eliminate errors and to assure consistency of information
  • How to use and maintain a paperless, compliant, International Student Office
  • Demonstration of the case management system in place at Stanford

Presenter: Laleh Rongere, Foreign Student Advisor, DSO/ARO, Stanford University

Inspiring U.S. Students' Pursuit of International Careers (Orinda Room)
This session presents literature on the changing nature of international careers, international career paths, and the role of faculty and staff in inspiring, mentoring, and supporting U.S. students in their pursuit of international careers. Discussion will focus on purposeful actions institutions can take to prepare students for international careers.
Presenter: Katherine Punteney, CSU Chico


Session 2: 10:45a.m. - 12:00p.m.

Time to Start Collaborating: Program Partnership with Residence Life Offices (Lafayette Room)

The International House at UCSD is rooted in collaboration between the Director's Office, Residence Life, and the International Center. With reduced budgets, all offices need to increase collaboration. Programs include IEW, culture nights, international mixers, and more. This session will highlight the successes and challenges of the offices working together and detail how to form program partnerships.
Presenter: Lauren Jane Hartig, Assistant Resident Dean, Eleanor Roosevelt College and International House, UCSD.

Marriage to a US Citizen: Understanding the permanent residence and citizenship process for J-1 and F-1 visa holders (Claeys Lounge)
This presentation will give an overview of the adjustment of status process for foreign national students and scholars who marry a US citizen while maintaining their student (F-1/J-1) status. Specifically, the discussion will address:

  • Eligibility issues
  • Steps in the adjustment of status process
  • Processing times for the adjustment of status petitions and related application
  • Role of the attorney in the process
  • Issues arising for students maintaining F-1/J-1 status during the adjustment of status process
  • Citizenship overviewPresenter: Melissa Harms, principal of the Law Office of Melissa Harms


Moving Education Abroad Collaboration Beyond Organizational Boundaries (Orinda Room) Study Abroad

Join us for dialogue and exploration of a collaborative outreach initiative beyond campus borders such as networking, professional development, cross-district collaboration, and re-entry programs. As part of our discussion, we will share an update on the newly formed Northern California Education Abroad Association (NCEAA).
Presenter: Lorien Romito, Saint Mary's College; Christina Sanchez, University of San Francisco; Menraj Sachdev, Independent Consultant; Zac Einerson, Australearn; Rod Harris, Study Abroad Italy


Session 3: 1:45p.m. - 3:00p.m.

Online Web Resources and Recognition Practices for International Credential Evaluation (Lafayette Room)

When reviewing admissions applications, accreditation serves as an assurance of the quality of the education received. This session clarifies the meaning of accreditation and its process, both in the U.S. and abroad, including types of accreditation, international programs, joint/dual degrees and diploma mills.

Although some institutions may prefer to outsource their international transcripts for professional evaluation, many choose to do them on their own. Locating accurate information can be challenging. This presentation covers a collection of valuable international education resources for higher education admissions personnel located in one centralized and accessible place on the internet--mostly for free. The purpose is to help make finding information easier and more efficient. Specifically, grading scales, profiles of foreign education systems, advice on obtaining legitimate international credentials, contact information for ministries of education abroad, international degree preview and GPA calculator tools and more will be discussed. The data is drawn from a variety of reliable sources on the World Wide Web.
Presenters: Tara Wessel, Evaluator, International Education Research Foundation, Inc.; Todd Rutkin, Director, West Coast Regional Office, World Education Services

Incorporating Reflection into Study Abroad Programs (Orinda Room)
Join us to explore strategies for incorporating refection elements into study abroad programs. We will discuss background on theoretical frameworks, examples of current models and varied implementation techniques, and use of reflection in outcomes assessment.
Presenters: Christina Sanchez, PhD, Associate Dean/Assistant Vice President; University Life, University of San Francisco; Marcella DeProto, Program Advisor, Interantional Student &Scholar Services, University of San Francisco; Stefanie Stauber, Graduate Intern, ISSS, University of San Francisco

Immigration Roundtable: Q&A (Claeys Lounge)
As NAFSA exists for its members we want the panel to address your concerns therefore we need your input. Please send specific questions/issues to LevineArthur[at]fhda.edu or innaz2008[at]gmail.com that you would like discussed and general topics or procedures that you would like discussed.
Panelists: Arthur Levine, Foothill College; Kevin Long, UCSF; Inna Zaltsmann


Poster Session, 3:00p.m. (Moraga Room)

With American schools creating programs in foreign countries, how are the schools of education preparing their future teacher candidates for the international classroom? This poster represents my early research findings on an informal survey of teacher candidates, those already teaching in California, and their opinion of a study abroad requirement.
Presented by Ann Jayne, M.Ed., South/West Park Elementary School