Semhar Okbazion

Semhar Okbazion is an accomplished professional with nearly 20 years of experience in the international education and immigration space, supporting international students and scholars across higher education institutions. She currently serves as Assistant Director at the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s Office of International Services, where she leads scholar advising and institutional compliance efforts. Previously, she advised international students at American University and Johns Hopkins University and directed the Henrietta Selle Tiri Scholarship at UMB, expanding access to scholars from the Global South. A frequent NAFSA presenter and advocate for inclusive international education, Semhar volunteers with NAFSA—previously on the ISSRP Committee and currently as a Poster Presentation Reviewer (PFO). She also serves as a fellowship reviewer for the American Association of University Women (AAUW) and the Mandela Washington Fellowship. She is a passionate mentor to international, displaced, and refugee students and professionals, and is trilingual in English, Tigrinya, and Amharic. Semhar holds two LL.M. degrees from American University Washington College of Law—one in International Legal Studies and another in U.S. Immigration and Administrative Law—and an LL.B. from the University of Asmara.