International Student and Scholar Services

Contributing to Comprehensive Internationalization

Crisis Management

Office Administration

Orientation, Retention, and Student Services Programming

Student and Scholar Advising

Katrina Knudsen

Katrina Knudsen is the Student Advising Manager for the International Student and Scholar Services Office at the University of Maryland, College Park. In her role as student advising manager, she oversees the team providing advising services to F-1 and J-1 international students, including those on

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NAFSA's Resident Immigration Expert Talks Shop: Q&A, Part I

December 4, 2023

David Fosnocht, NAFSA’s immigration regulation expert and director of immigration practice resources, sits down with the NAFSA blog team to talk about the NAFSA immigration resource suite. Read on to learn how you can elevate your expertise as an immigration adviser with our toolkit of practice

SEVP Guidance: Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students

On November 6, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) published Impact of Labor Strikes on F-1 Nonimmigrant Students, a fact sheet and FAQ that interprets and applies F-1 regulations at 8 CFR 214.2(f)(14) regarding the effect of a DOL-certified strike on students on optional practical

Academy Coaches Positions

Position: Academy Coach Term Dates: August 1, 2025 - December 31, 2026 The Academy for International Education is a year-long professional development program designed to provide newcomers with an introduction to the field of international education and those more experienced with an opportunity to

The State of Play in Washington and Why the U.S. Needs a National IE Strategy

This Town Hall examined the latest legislative and regulatory policy updates affecting the field with a special focus on why the U.S. needs a national strategy for international education. NAFSA leaders with expertise in public policy, regulatory practice, and advocacy shared a “behind-the-scenes”

Immigration-Related Initiatives in Artificial Intelligence Executive Order

On October 30, 2023 President Biden signed Executive Order 14110, titled Safe, Secure, and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence. Artificial Intelligence is abbreviated throughout the executive order as "AI." Read Executive Order 14110 on the White House website Executive Order

USCIS Policy Manual Content on J-1 Exchange Visitors

USCIS has updated its USCIS Policy Manual with some helpful content on how the agency determines whether an applicant for change of status or adjustment of status has met the INA 212(e) foreign residence requirement. The updates confirm standard USCIS practices and review J-1 basics. For example

USCIS Proposed Rule on H-1B Modernization and F-1 Cap-Gap Flexibility

Update: On December 18, 2024, USCIS published the final rule titled Modernizing H-1B Requirements, Providing in the F-1 Program, and Program Improvements Affecting Other Nonimmigrant Workers. The rule is effective 30 days later, on January 17, 2025. Read the final rule published at 89 FR 103054

Immigration and Study Abroad Resources: Israel-Hamas Conflict

This page lists resources relevant to the Israel-Hamas Conflict for individuals engaged in international higher education. Advocacy See NAFSA's Statement: NAFSA Condemns Hamas Attack on Israel U.S. Government Resources Deferral of Enforced Departure (DED) Memorandum on the Deferred Enforced

Cross-Training ISSS Teams and Building Resilience

Attendees joined four ISSS directors for a live panel about cross-training ISSS staff. The panelists represented a diversity of institutional types and office configurations. They examined a variety of scenarios such as providing backup during staff turnover and extended leaves, creating