F-1 Basics Workshop, 8:30am-12:00pm

This workshop covers basics of the F-1 student status from initial status acquisition and maintenance to employment and practical training authorizations. This is not a NAFSA CEP but offers audience members an overview of core concepts and regulations for F-1 students.

• Max Crumley-Effinger, Assistant Director, Emerson College
• Maria Jenkins, Director, Boston Architectural College
• James English, Director, Southern New Hampshire University

Permanent Residency for Beginners, 1:00-2:00pm

Certain visa holders may be eligible to adjust their status to become lawful permanent residents (green card holders). This panel will provide a comprehensive overview of the U.S. green card process, including key pathways such as family-based, employment-based, and self-sponsored categories. Panelists will also discuss recent trends, policy updates, and emerging best practices for developing and managing internal green card policies.

• Anthony D. Pawelski, Esq., Senior Advisor, Office for Global Professionals and Scholars, Mass General Brigham
• Peter Rees, Esq., Rees Immigration, LLC and Vice Chair, AILA New England 

Beyond the F-1 and J-1: Humanitarian Relief Options for Students & Scholars While They Last, 2:30-3:45pm

Students and scholars facing war, political instability, climate disaster, or family-based harm can rely on humanitarian immigration pathways as lifelines to safety, educational continuity and in some cases employment in the U.S. while pursuing their studies. This session provides a practical overview of key humanitarian visa and protection options, including Temporary Protected Status (TPS), humanitarian parole, asylum, Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS), and related forms of relief. Panelists will break down who qualifies, how these protections intersect with student and scholar status, and the role universities and advisors can play in identifying and supporting individuals who may be eligible. The discussion will examine how these humanitarian pathways are increasingly constrained, politicized, and targeted for rollback under the Trump administration, including efforts to terminate TPS designations, restrict asylum access, narrow parole authority, and more. Attendees will gain insight into the current legal landscape, emerging risks, and strategies for advocacy, compliance, and compassionate support during a period of heightened uncertainty.

• Mary Walsh, Esq., Partner, Iandoli, Desai, & Cronin
• Kelly Morgan, Esq., Sr. Supervising Attorney, Central West Justice Center
• Maggie Morgan, Esq., Managing Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services

RFEs and NOIDs 2.0, 9:00-10:15am

This session will delve into the exciting world of Requests for Evidence (RFE), Notices of Intent to Deny (NOID), and Notices of Intent to Revoke (NOIR). We will discuss the anatomy of a Request for Evidence, touch upon the most common RFEs, NOIRs, and NOIDs we are seeing (those curious Biometrics RFEs and ASC Appointment Notices!), and share tips and tricks for best practices for institutions as well as advising pointers for our students and scholars. Slides and handouts will be available upon request via email.

• Jessa Karki, Associate Director of Comprehensive Advising, Northeastern University
• Kathy Kautz de Arango, Executive Director of University Immigration Services, University of New Haven
• Mary Walsh, Esq., Partner, Iandoli, Desai, & Cronin

A New Era: Preparing for Changes to Student Employment with the End of D/S, 10:30-11:45am

This session explores how shifting from "duration of status" to a fixed period of admission will reshape student employment. Through practical examples, we will examine the specific impacts on on-campus work, Curricular Practical Training (CPT), and Optional Practical Training (OPT). Participants will gain an understanding of the primary challenges posed by the new rule and walk away with actionable strategies to help their campuses prepare for this transition.

• Erin Gustafson, Senior Adviser, OISS, Yale University
• Maggie Shirland, Assistant Director, International Student Advising & Compliance, Massachusetts College of Art and Design
• Leslie Lawrence, International Advisor, University of Connecticut

J-1 Student Advising:  Tales from the Trenches, 1:00-2:15pm

This session will start with a presentation detailing wild and weird examples from the field on advising J-1 students, both degree and non-degree. Hear case studies from J-1 Student advisers in navigating U.S. Department of State regulations and institutional policies related to Academic Training, remote work, dependent matters, and more. The session will allow for participant questions and discussion.

• Sonja Paulson, Assistant Director, International Student Services, Brown University
• Katie Ahlman, Senior Immigration Advisor, University of Massachusetts, Amherst
• Kas Singh, Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services, Middlebury College

Wearing All the Hats:  Strategies for K-12 International Student Advisors, 2:30-3:45pm

Calling all K–12 international student advisors! Join us for a session focused on navigating the realities of “wearing all the hats” while supporting younger F‑1 students. Attendees will hear about relevant policy changes, exchange ideas, reflect on challenges, and leave with practical resources, new strategies, and an expanded professional network to support their work.

• Liz Samsiegle, Director, ISSS, Babson College
• Sarah Keefe, Assistant Adviser, OISS, Yale University
• Ashley Sinclair, Director of Global Engagement, Choate Rosemary Hall
• Angela Yang-Handy, Assistant Head of School, Kimball Union Academy

Emerging Trends in H-1B Adjudications, 9:00-10:15am

New regulations, rapid policy shifts, travel bans and heightened scrutiny are reshaping the H-1B landscape. This focused session will break down the most significant developments impacting employers and practitioners. Topics include: 
• The $100,000 H-1B fee and its impact on sponsorship strategies
• Pros and cons to date of online filing 
• Tips, tricks and hurdles of credit card versus ACH payment 
• Reported key changes to the new Form I-129
• New weighted H-1B lottery selection causing heighted student anxiety  
• Current RFE trends and adjudication patterns
• “Pauses” in adjudication for travel ban countries (in reality nasty RFE and NOIDs)
Attendees will gain practical guidance to navigate compliance challenges and adjust H-1B strategy in an increasingly unpredictable environment.

• Mary Walsh, Esq., Partner, Iandoli, Desai, & Cronin
• Sharon Ralston, Assistant Director for Scholar Services, Boston University
• Mihwa Lee, Associate Director, OISS, Yale University

It's Tax Season!  Supporting Our Foreign National Population, 10:30-11:45am

Join a representative from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) to discuss taxation issues impacting international students and scholars. Get latest updates regarding current IRS concerns for students and scholars such as ITIN information or taxpreparer resources. Questions that have been solicited from the field and submitted to the IRS provide the content for the session.

• Arthur Galinat, Director, ISSS, University of Connecticut
• Adrea Papadopoulos, Associate Director, ISSO, Brandeis University
• Craig Cihlar, IRS Representative, Internal Revenue Service

J-1 Scholar Selection, Screening, and Monitoring, 1:00-2:15pm

An overview of how various institutions implement their J-1 Exchange Visitor program, focusing on the selection and screening of EV's. The session will also discuss monitoring EV's during their stay, and strategies for ensuring regulatory compliance from arrival through departure.

• Kaitlin Dornenburg, HR Specialist, International Office, UConn Health Center
• Rachel Hollabaugh, Associate Director of Comprehensive Advising, Northeastern University
• Leah Boccaccio, Senior Advisor to International Students and Scholars, Harvard University

Best Practices to Prepare Students and Employees for Government Site Visits, 2:30-3:45pm

This session will review the reporting obligations of institutions to the different federal agencies and discuss the importance of setting up protocols and preparing for site visits from government agencies. We will explore pain points and topics where there could commonly be confusion on campus and discuss best practices for communicating with university stakeholders and students on OPT. 

• Arthur Galinat, Director, ISSS, University of Connecticut
• Dan Berger, Esq., Green and Spiegel LLC
• Holly Burns, J.D., PDSO, Immigration Specialist, UMass Chan Medical School
• Colleen Callahan-Panday, Director, ISS, Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Managing the I-17, Preparing for Change, 9:00-10:15am

This session will provide an overview of current trends in I-17 updates and recertification applications, as well as anticipated changes to data requirements for the I-17 and F-1 I-20s.

• Elizabeth Capuano, Harvard University
• Robin Catmur-Smith, Managing Director, International Student Resource Center
• Susan Ellison, Director, OIVS, Dartmouth College
• Kate Sacco, SEVP Representative, Department of Homeland Security

Travel - Consular and CBP, Social Media Vetting, 10:30am-12:00pm

What was once routine has become increasingly uncertain. International travel for students and scholars now entails a range of procedural, regulatory, and discretionary hurdles, including extended visa appointment wait times (notably for Indian applicants), travel bans, expanded social media screening practices, and enhanced vetting at consulates and ports of entry. This panel will analyze the latest developments in consular processing, social media, and arrival issues, while assessing their implications for universities.

• Anthony D. Pawelski, Esq., Senior Advisor, Office for Global Professionals and Scholars, Mass General Brigham
• Liz Goss, Esq., Goss Associates

Up the Chain: Working with Senior Leadership on Immigration Matters, 1:00-2:15pm

During this period when immigration has taken front page in mainstream media, how do our offices respond across our individual institutional structures? In this session, we'll explore strategies to share information with senior leadership at your institution, thoughts on how to raise flags and advocate for protocols from our positions, and perhaps how to leverage this moment toward greater long-term visibility for our work.

• Caitlin Szymkowicz, Associate Dean of Global Education & Director of Lewis Global Studies Center, Smith College
• Ozan Say, Director, OISS, Yale University
• Selina O'Toole, Executive Director of Enrollment Operations, University of New Haven

Duration of Status in the Balance: Current Updates and Assessments, 1:00-2:15pm

In this session, we will provide an overview of the Duration of Status proposed (or final) rule, and discuss scenarios stemming from the proposed (or actual) elimination of D/S that may raise especially complex institutional, advising, and legal issues. The speakers include international advisors and an experienced immigration attorney.

• Andrew Shiotani, Director, International Student and Scholar Services, Brown University
• Travis Feuerbacaher, Assistant Director, International Student and Scholar Services, ZF Immigration
• Jennifer Dressen, Assistant Director, International Student and Scholar Services, Brown University

Duration of Status Round Table, 2:30-3:45pm

• Luca Lipparini, Associate Director of Student Advising, OISS, Yale University
• Rachel Hollabaugh, Associate Director of Comprehensive Advising, Northeastern University