Mary-Ellen Smith

Ms. Smith is a Senior International Student Advisor at International Services, USF World at the University of South Florida, and has served the international student population at USF for more than 20 years. Her goal is to help international students maintain their visa status while they are studying at USF. Once they have graduated, she advises them and helps them maintain their visa status while on OPT and with their STEM Extension. As a Designated School Official, she informs students and staff of current regulations, and policy changes made by the University, USCIS, and the State Department. She also interprets how these changes affect the immigration status of an international student. Notification occurs through personal advising, correspondence, newsletters, and presentations. Staying informed through professional development about changes in government relations and how they affect international students is of primary importance to her. She is an active member of NAFSA: Association of International Educators. She has co-authored two chapters in a book called Crisis Management in a Cross-Cultural Setting, which is published and sold by NAFSA. She is currently an active member of Trainer Corps and has presented at Pre- Conference In-Person Workshops for F-1 Beginners and F-1 Intermediates on many occasions and has presented one virtual workshop. She enjoys building connections with colleagues as a Trainer Corps Ambassador and loves engaging with future co-trainers. Ms. Smith received both her B.A. in Professional and Technical Writing and her M.A. in Government and International Relations from USF. She spent a semester abroad in Wuhan, China teaching English. Ms. Smith is an avid world traveler and enjoys diversity in cultures.