Risk Assessment and Crisis Management

Commentary on COVID-19 and Challenges of International Graduate Students

IEM Spotlight, Vol. 20, Summer Issue | Table of Contents By Daniyal Saud, EdD, Merrimack College, School of Education & Social Policy About 5 months ago, our world was turned upside down as COVID-19 invaded college campuses. Colleges were forced to extend their spring break, while others rushed to

International Graduate Enrollment Management in a Time of Crisis

IEM Spotlight, Vol. 20, Summer Issue | Table of Contents By Kathleen M. Joyce, MS, Syracuse University Even in the best of times, international graduate recruitment planning and strategic development is challenging. Set in the context of a global pandemic, the process takes on added stress and

Understanding CDC Travel Health Notices and Guidance for Travel Abroad

On August 20, 2022, this Government Connection reviewed CDC Travel Health Notices, one of the key indicators that education abroad offices rely on to make informed decisions about travel abroad. At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the CDC Warning Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel, and the

Monitoring Travel Advisories and Conditions Abroad During COVID-19

August 12, 2020

During this August 20, 2020 presentation the Bureau of Consular Affairs addressed assessment criteria for travel advisories, frequency of review for travel advisories during the pandemic, as well as current restrictions and conditions for U.S. students travelling abroad including quarantines, host

Notifications and Emergency Responses for Education Abroad

This Notification and Emergency Response guidelines below describe when it may (or may not) be necessary for institutions to reach out to education abroad participants in the aftermath of an event overseas. Different constituencies in the field vary in their responses; an emergency for one program

Advising in Place: Keeping up with Agency Guidance in a Changing World

International student and scholar advisers face unprecedented challenges in keeping up with the rapid fire changes and challenges presented by pandemic, the faltering economy and agency guidance. In this Government Connection, Chairs of the ISS RP Subcommittees provided a roundup of the latest

Interpreting Immigration Regulations and Sources of Authority

The COVID-19 Pandemic has resulted in a flood of information and guidance from all of our partner agencies as we navigate this crisis together. Even in non-crisis times, it can be difficult to understand the seemingly competing sources of authority and regulations that govern regulatory practice

Crisis Response: Best Practices for International Offices That Don't Have Dedicated Emergency Staff

May 7, 2020

Did you read the article in IE Magazine about emergency response plans, but your institutions doesn’t have dedicated staff to fulfill responsibilities outlined in the piece? Several of the sources interviewed for the article have recommendations for colleges and universities who want to bolster

Continuity of Operations for the International Office

Adapted from a March 10, 2020 post on the NAFSA International Scholar Advising Network by Tina Rousselot de Saint Céran (Georgia Tech), chair of the NAFSA Knowledge Community for International Student and Scholar Services (KCISSS). There are multiple considerations for the transition from in-person

The USCIS Special Situations Page

November 12, 2025

USCIS's Immigration Relief in Emergencies or Unforeseen Circumstances page (formerly called the "Special Situations" page) describes long-standing, preexisting options that might be of use in an emergency situation. The page states: "USCIS has discretion to take the following measures on a case-by